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Ben Franklin Quotes
Read these Ben Franklin Quotes from his own letters and writings. Get
into the mind of this famous Founding Father, one of the most well
known heros of the Revolutionary War. Allow these inspirational Ben
Franklin Quotes to influence your thinking today!
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Benjamin Franklin
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Ben Franklin Quotes
"Have you something to do to-morrow; do it to-day." - Poor
Richard's Almanack, 1742
"How many observe Christ's birth-day! How few, his precepts! O!
'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments." - Poor Richard's
Almanack, 1743
"Wish not so much to live long as to live well." - Poor Richard's
Almanack, 1746
"Strive to be the greatest man in your country, and you may be
disappointed. Strive to be the best and you may succeed: he may
well win the race that runs by himself." - Poor Richard's Almanack,
1747
"Remember that time is money." - Advice to a Young Tradesman,
1748
"It is the duty of mankind on all suitable occasions to acknowledge
their dependence on the Divine Being... [that] Almighty God would
mercifully interpose and still the rage of war among the nations...
[and that] He would take this province under his protection, confound
the designs and defeat the attempts of its enemies, and unite our
hearts and strengthen our hands in every undertaking that may be
for the public good, and for our defense and security in this time
of danger.
I never doubted, for instance, the existence of the Deity; that he
made the world, and governed it by his Providence; that the most
acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls
are immortal; and that all crime will be punished, and virtue rewarded
either here or hereafter.
Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that
belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.
The pleasures of this world are rather from God's goodness than our
own merit." - As Governor, proposal for Pennsylvania's First Day
of Fasting, 1748
Read on for more
Ben Franklin Quotes
"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
- Advice given to a young man, 1748
"A Spoonful of Honey will catch more Flies than a Gallon of Vinegar."
- Poor Richard's Almanack, 1748
"The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in all
Ages, as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private
Families and of Common-wealths. Almost all Governments have therefore
made it a principal Object of their Attention, to establish and endow
with proper Revenues, such Seminaries of Learning, as might supply
the succeeding Age with Men qualified to serve the Publick with Honour
to themselves, and to their Country." - Proposals for Educating
Youth in Pennsylvania, 1749
"History will also afford frequent, opportunities of showing the
necessity of a public religion, from its usefulness to the public;
the advantage of a religious character among private persons; the
mischiefs of superstition, and the excellency of the Christian
religion above all others, ancient or modern." - Proposals
Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania, 1749
"History will also give Occasion to expatiate on the Advantage of
Civil Orders and Constitutions, how Men and their Properties are
protected by joining in Societies and establishing Government;
their Industry encouraged and rewarded, Arts invented, and Life
made more comfortable: The Advantages of Liberty, Mischiefs of
Licentiousness, Benefits arising from good Laws and a due Execution
of Justice, etc. Thus may the first Principles of sound Politicks
be fix'd in the Minds of Youth." - Proposals for Educating Youth
in Pennsylvania, 1749
"Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is." - Poor
Richard's Almanack, 1749
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more Ben Franklin
Quotes? Read on!
 Benjamin Franklin
"I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the
public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue...
I think also, general virtue is more probably to be expected and
obtained from the education of youth, than from the exhortation
of adult persons; bad habits and vices of the mind being, like
diseases of the body, more easily prevented than cured.
I think, moreover, that talents for the education of youth are
the gift of God; and that he on whom they are bestowed, whenever
a way is opened for the use of them, is as strongly called as
if he heard a voice from heaven." - Letter to Dr. Samuel
Johnson, first President of King's College (now Columbia
University), August 23, 1750
"The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very
valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human
life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become
habits ready on all occasions; for life is a kind of Chess, in
which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries
to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and
ill events, that are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or
the want of it. By playing at Chess then, we may learn: 1st,
Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers
the consequences that may attend an action... 2nd, Circumspection,
which surveys the whole Chess-board, or scene of action: - the
relation of the several Pieces, and their situations; ...3rd,
Caution, not to make our moves too hastily..." - The Moral of
Chess - Article, 1750
"Repeal that [welfare] law, and you will soon see a change in their
manners. St. Monday and St. Tuesday, will soon cease to be holidays.
Six days shalt thou labor, though one of the old commandments long
treated as out of date, will again be looked upon as a respectable
precept; industry will increase, and with it plenty among the lower
people; their circumstances will mend, and more will be done for
their happiness by inuring them to provide for themselves, than
could be done by dividing all your estates among them." - Letter
to Collinson, May 9, 1753
"I can only show my gratitude for these mercies from God, by a
readiness to help his other children and my brethren. For I do
not think that thanks and compliments, though repeated weekly,
can discharge our real obligations to each other, and much less
those to our Creator.
You will see in this my notion of good works, that I am far from
expecting to merit heaven by them. By heaven we understand a
state of happiness, infinite in degree, and eternal in duration. I
can do nothing to deserve such rewards... Even the mixed, imperfect
pleasures we enjoy in this world, are rather from God's goodness
than our merit; how much moresuch happiness of heaven!
For my part I have not the vanity to think I deserve it... but
content myself in submitting to the will and disposal of that
God who made me, who has hitherto preserved and blessed me,
and in whose fatherly goodness I may well confide, that he will
ever make me miserable; and that even the afflictions I may at
any time suffer shall tend to my benefit.
The faith you mention has certainly its use in the world. I do
not desire to see it diminished, nor would I endeavor to lessen
it in any man. But I wish it were more productive of good works,
than I have generally seen it; I mean real good works; works of
kindness, charity, mercy, and public spirit; not holiday-keeping,
sermon-reading or hearing; performing church ceremonies, or
making long prayers, filled with flatteries and compliments...
The worship of God is a duty; the hearing and reading of sermons
may be useful; but, if men rest in hearing and praying, as too
many do, it is as if a tree should value itself on being watered
and putting forth leaves, though it never produce any fruit." -
Letter to Joseph Huey, June 6, 1753
"It would be a neglect of that justice which is due to the
physicians and surgeons of this hospital, not to acknowledge
that their care and skill, and their punctual and regular
attendance, under the Divine Blessing, has been a principal
means of advancing this charity to the flourishing state in
which we have now the pleasure to view it.
Relying on the continuance of the Favour of Heaven, upon the
future endeavors of all who may be concerned in the management
of the institution, for its further advancement, we close this
account with the abstract of a sermon, preached before the
Governors..." -
Some Account of the Pennsylvania Hospital from its first rise,
to the beginning of the fifth month, May, 1754
More Ben Franklin Quotes
to live by!
"In the year of Christ, 1755... This building, by the bounty of
the Government and of many private persons, was piously founded,
for the relief of the sick and miserable. May the God of mercies
bless the undertaking!" - Cornerstone Inscription on Pennsylvania
Hospital, May, 1754
"I condole with you, we have lost a most dear and valuable relation,
but it is the will of God and Nature that these mortal bodies be laid
aside, when the soul is to enter into real life; 'tis rather an
embrio state, a preparation for living; a man is not completely
born until he be dead: Why should we grieve that a new child is
born among the immortals? A new member added to their happy society?
We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford
us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our
fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God -- when they
become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain rather than
pleasure -- instead of an aid, become an incumbrance and answer
none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally
kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get
rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves prudently choose a
partial death. In some cases a mangled painful limb, which can
not be restored, we willingly cut off -- He who plucks out a
tooth, parts with it freely since the pain goes with it, and he
that quits the whole body, parts at once with all pains and
possibilities of pains and diseases it was liable to, or capable
of making him suffer." - Letter to Elizabeth Hubbart, when she
was grieving at the death of her stepfather John Franklin, who was
Benjamin's brother, February 22, 1756
"Life, like a dramatic piece, should... finish handsomely. Being
now in the last act, I began to cast about for something fit to
end with... I settle a colony on the Ohio... to settle in that
fine country a strong body of religious and industrious people!...
Might it not greatly facilitate the introduction of pure religion
among the heathen, if we could, by such a colony, show them a
better sample of Christians than they commonly see in our Indian
traders?" - Letter to George Whitefield, July 2, 1756
"This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but after all,
do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and
prudence, though excellent things, for they may all be blasted
without the blessing of Heaven; and therefore, ask that blessing
humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at the present seem
to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember, Job suffered,
and was afterwards prosperous." - The Way to Wealth, 1757
"Work as if you were to live 100 Years, Pray as if you were to die
To-morrow." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1757
"I have read your Manuscript with some Attention. By the Arguments
it contains against the Doctrine of a particular Providence, tho'
you allow a general Providence, you strike at the Foundation of all
Religion: For without the Belief of a Providence that takes Cognizance
of, guards and guides and may favour particular Persons, there is no
Motive to Worship a Deity, to fear its Displeasure, or to pray for
its Protection. I will not enter into any Discussion of your Principles,
tho' you seem to desire it; At present I shall only give you my
Opinion that tho' your Reasonings are subtle, and may prevail
with some Readers, you will not succeed so as to change the general
Sentiments of Mankind on that Subject, and the Consequence of printing
this Piece will be a great deal of Odium drawn upon your self, Mischief
to you and no Benefit to others. He that spits against the Wind,
spits in his own Face. But were you to succeed, do you imagine any
Good would be done by it? You your self may find it easy to live a
virtuous Life without the Assistance afforded by Religion; you having
a clear Perception of the Advantages of Virtue and the Disadvantages
of Vice, and possessing a Strength of Resolution sufficient to enable
you to resist common Temptations. But think how great a Proportion of
Mankind consists of weak and ignorant Men and Women, and of inexperienc'd
and inconsiderate Youth of both Sexes, who have need of the Motives of
Religion to restrain them from Vice, to support their Virtue, and retain
them in the Practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the great
Point for its Security; And perhaps you are indebted to her originally
that is to your Religious Education, for the Habits of Virtue upon which
you now justly value yourself. You might easily display your excellent
Talents of reasoning on a less hazardous Subject, and thereby obtain
Rank with our most distinguish'd Authors. For among us, it is not
necessary, as among the Hottentots that a Youth to be receiv'd into
the Company of Men, should prove his Manhood by beating his Mother. I
would advise you therefore not to attempt unchaining the Tyger, but to
burn this Piece before it is seen by any other Person, whereby you will
save yourself a great deal of Mortification from the Enemies it may raise
against you, and perhaps a good deal of Regret and Repentance. If Men
are so wicked as we now see them with Religion what would they be if
without it?" - Letter to Unknown Recipient, December 13, 1757
"He that lives upon hope will die fasting." - Poor Richard's Almanack,
Preface, 1758
Ben Franklin Quotes
to live by!
"Whate'ers begun in anger ends in shame." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734
"And as to the Cares, they are chiefly what attend the bringing up of Children;
and I would ask any Man who has experienced it, if they are not the most delightful
Cares in the World; and if from that Particular alone, he does not find the Bliss
of a double State much greater, instead of being less than he expected." -
Reply to someone's advice, March 4, 1734
"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." - Poor Richard's Almanack, July, 1735
"Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." - Poor Richard's Almanack, October, 1735
"Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1735
"God helps them that help themselves." - Poor Richard's Almanack, June, 1736
"God heals and the doctor takes the fees." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
"A countryman between 2 Lawyers, is like a fish between two cats." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737
"A penny saved is twopence clear." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737
"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
"Trust thy self, and another shall not betray thee." - Poor Richard's Almanack, 1739
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