Benjamin Franklin Quotes

83 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN QUOTES

© History Oasis

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the most influential and accomplished figures of the 18th century. 

A renowned polymath, Franklin made significant contributions as a writer, inventor, scientist, philosopher, statesman and diplomat. His wit, wisdom and insights on life and human nature made him one of the most quotable Founding Fathers of America. 

This collection of 83 Benjamin Franklin quotes encapsulates the essence of Franklin's philosophy and worldview. 

Drawn from his prolific writings, speeches and correspondence, these pithy sayings reveal Franklin as a keen observer of human behavior and society. 

With his trademark wit and humor, he dispenses timeless advice on virtue, character, relationships, success, money, time management and more. 

Franklin advocates integrity, frugality, diligence, patience, learning and pragmatic realism. 

He cautions against folly, vice, greed and hypocrisy. The quotes underscore Franklin's belief in self-improvement, civic duty and the power of the individual to better themselves and society.

Together, these sayings comprise a "Franklinian" code of conduct for life. 

WISDOM & LIFE LESSONS

Benjamin Franklin quote on learning
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"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today." 

"Lost time is never found again."

"Wish not so much to live long as to live well."

"Curiosity killed the cat." 

"Don't cry over spilt milk."

"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." 

"Haste makes waste."

1"It is never too late to learn." 

"Life is too short to be anything but happy." 

"Look before you leap."

"Never give up on your dreams."

"No man is an island."

"One good turn deserves another."

"Out of sight, out of mind."

"Rome wasn't built in a day."

"The early bird gets the worm."

VIRTUE & CHARACTER 

Benjamin Franklin Quote on virtue
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"What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue."

"Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices."

"It is better to take many Injuries than to give one." 

"Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults." 

"Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good."

"Great minds think alike." 

"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else."

"Honesty is the best policy." 

"Knowledge is power."

"Manners maketh man." 

"Money can't buy happiness."

TIME MANAGEMENT

Benjamin Franklin quote on time management
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"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander Time; for that's the Stuff Life is made of." 

"Hide not your Talents, they for Use were made. What's a Sun-Dial in the shade!" 

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."

"When in doubt, don't."

"Diligence is the mother of good luck."

"Time is money."

RELATIONSHIPS

Benjamin Franklin quote on relationships
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"If you would be loved, love, and be loveable."

"He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals."

"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards." 

"Those who are easy to live with are easy to lead."

"Fish and visitors stink after three days." 

"Birds of a feather flock together." 

"Blood is thicker than water."

"A dog is a man's best friend." 

"Love is blind."

WEALTH & SUCCESS 

Benjamin Franklin quote on wealth
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"A small leak will sink a great ship."

"A penny saved is a penny earned." 

"There is no gains without pains." 

"He that can have patience can have what he will."

"A stitch in time saves nine."

"Every cloud has a silver lining."

"First impressions last." 

"If you want to know the value of money, go and try to borrow some."

"I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong." 

"It is better to give than to receive." 

"Practice makes perfect." 

"Seeing is believing." 

"The best way to predict the future is to create it."

"There is no place like home."

FAILURE & FOLLY

Benjamin Franklin quote on failure
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"A fool and his money are soon parted."

"All that glitters is not gold." 

"Every man has his price."

"If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting." 

"Too many cooks spoil the broth."

MISCELLANEOUS

Benjamin Franklin quote on energy
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"Energy and persistence conquer all things."

"There never was a good war or a bad peace." 

"Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack'd, and never well mended."

"Better slip with foot than tongue." 

"Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship." 

"God helps those who help themselves." 

"Don't throw stones at your neighbors if your own windows are glass."

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." 

"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions."

"Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God."

"Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be virtuous and benevolent, and you will be happy."

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine." 

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." 

"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." 

"A man who is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else."

"A rolling stone gathers no moss."

"Slow and steady wins the race."

"Speech is silver, silence is golden." 

"A little learning is a dangerous thing."

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