Benjamin Franklin Quotes

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

I give vanity fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to its possessor and to others within the sphere of its action; and therefore in many cases it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity, among the other comforts of his life. [Vanity]

I guess I don't so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old. [Being]

I look upon death to be as necessary to our constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.

I saw few die of hunger; of eating, a hundred thousand.

I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end: requesting only the advantage authors have, of correcting in a second edition the faults of the first.

I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up.

If a man could have half his wishes, we would double his troubles. [Wish]

If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. [Knowledge]

If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.

If by the liberty of the press, we understand merely the liberty of discussing the propriety of public measures and political opinions, let us have as much of it as you please; but, if it means the liberty of affronting, calumniating, and defaming one another, I own myself willing to part with my share of it whenever our legislators shall please to alter the law; and shall cheerfully consent to exchange my liberty of abusing others for the privilege of not being abused myself.
[Press]

If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be without it? [Religion]

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.

If principle is good for anything, it is worth living up to. [Principle]

If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough always proves little enough. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity. [Time]

If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few. [Forgiveness]

If you do what you should not, you must bear what you would not.

If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone. [Economy]

If you want a thing done, go - if not, send. [Action]

If you would be loved, love and be lovable. [Lighten Up]