Benjamin Franklin Quotes | Icon of American Freedom
Freedom and independence as a nation have always been hard nuts to crack. Building and leading a nation with a great vision is the second challenge to meet. You can feel both in my crafted “ Benjamin Franklin quotes” and I hope you’d love them.
Benjamin Franklin Quotes
One of the most influential figures of America’s independence, Benjamin Franklin, opens his eyes on Sunday, in January 1706.
It was the 17th of the month.
He was born in Boston, UK, and was the 2nd son of a soap maker. He played an integral role in the war fight for American Independence.
His help to shape the first U.S. Constitution was marvelous. He laid the true vision for his Nation.
Apart from several inventions, Benjamin Franklin had diversified professional interests. He was a printer, publisher, journalist, philosopher, and a great Politician. His contribution to the freedom of the Press is still alive on a big canvas.
At the age of 84, the great man closed his eyes on Saturday 17, 1790.
Again, it was the 17th of the month.
Benjamin Franklin Quotes On Life
Patience, Patience, Patience
“He that can have patience can have what he will.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Honesty
“Honesty is the best policy.”
― Benjamin Franklin
The Secret of Keeping the Secret
“Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Two Things
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Healthy, Wealthy & Wise
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Peace with Your Neighbors
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Tell me and I Forget
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Little Expenses
“Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Great Confidence
“Tis a great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults; greater to tell him his.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Quotes That Enlighten
Well done & Well Said
“Well done is better than well said.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Motion with Action
“Never confuse motion with action.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Ignorant and Stupid
“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Tempting Moment
“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Testing the Depth
“When you’re testing to see how deep water is, never use two feet.”
― Ben Franklin
To Succeed
“To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Faults
“To find out a girl’s faults, praise her to her girlfriends.”
― Benjamin Franklin
One Today
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
― Benjamin Franklin
A False Friend is a Shadow
“A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Lengthen
“To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Silence Success
“Speak little, do much.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Quotes about Justice, Freedom & Liberty
Serving Justice
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Without Freedom
“Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom – and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Neither Liberty Nor Safety
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Inward & Outward
“Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Changing
“When you are finished changing, you’re finished.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Prison
“Security without liberty is called prison.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Essential Liberty
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Quotes About Happiness
Overthrow
“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Half of the Wishes
“If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Security Without Liberty
“Security without liberty is called prison.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Quotes Education
Continual Growth
“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Worth Reading & Writing
“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
― Benjamin Franklin
I Found Ways
“I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Invest in Knowledge
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Genius
“Genius without education is like silver in the mine.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Being Ignorant
“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Ignorance
“The only thing that is more expensive than education is ignorance.”
― Benjamin Franklin
10 Benjamin Franklin Quotes
Early to Bed and Early to Rise
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Success
“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Well said
“Well done is better than well said.”
― Benjamin Franklin
The Secret
“Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Hang Together or Separately
“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Guests are Like Fish
“Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.”
― Benjamin Franklin
25 & 75
“Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Bad Habits
“It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Knowledge
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Tell Me, Teach me & Involve Me
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Knowledge Of Benjamin Franklin Quotes
Preparation
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Best Investment
“Investment knowledge pays the best interest.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Early Birds
“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Ignorant
“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Something
“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Anger
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Little Expenses Can Spoil
“Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Doing is Better Than Saying
“Well done is better than well said.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Prevention and Cure
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Wisdom
“The doors of wisdom are never shut.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Failing the Test
“I didn’t fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.”
― Benjamin Franklin
A Great Lie
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Anger and Shame
“Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Three Things
“There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Energy & Persistence
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Money
“He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Unwilling to Learn
“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson Quotes
A Great Nation
“It is the great parent of science & of virtue: and that a nation will be great in both, always in proportion as it is free.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Freedom of The Press
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Polluted Vehicle
“Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Republican Virtue
“I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.”
― Benjamin Franklin
George Washington Quotes
Perseverance
“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Most Interesting Event
“I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one’s life, and the foundation of happiness or misery.”
― Benjamin Franklin
When Liberty Begins
“Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Storehouse and Granary
“I hope, someday or another, we shall become a storehouse and granary for the world.”
― Benjamin Franklin
My First Wish
“Lenience will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigor. It is therefore my first wish to have all of my conduct distinguished by it.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Famous Quotes
Virtue & Voice
“Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Many Injuries
“It is better to take many Injuries than to give one.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Living Well
“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Dogs & Fleas
“He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Slip of Tongue
“Better slip with foot than tongue.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Kook Before
“Look before, or you’ll find yourself behind.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Stones & Glass
“Don’t throw stones at your neighbors, if your own windows are glass.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Live in Peace
“He that would live in peace & at ease, Must not speak all he knows or judge all he sees.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Well Done is Better
“Well done is better than well said.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Right Heart
“A right Heart exceeds all.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Be Really
“What you seem to be, be really.”
― Benjamin Franklin
A True Friend
“A true friend is the best possession.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Gains & Pains
“No gains without pains.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Good to Others
“When you’re good to others, you’re best to yourself.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Pardoning & Injuring
“Pardoning the bad is injuring the good.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Talent
“Hide not your Talents, they for Use were made. What’s a Sun-Dial in the shade!”
― Benjamin Franklin
Glass, China & Reputation
“Glass, China, and Reputation are easily cracked, and never well mended.”
― Benjamin Franklin
What more Valuable
“What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Haste & Waste
“Haste makes Waste.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Who Wrote the Book “The Way to Wealth”?
It was an essay by Benjamin Franklin in 1758. The book was a collection of adages and pieces of advice. It was presented in Poor Richard’s Almanac during its first 25 years of publication and organized into a speech given by “Father Abraham” to a large group of people.
Benjamin Franklin Quotes On Democracy
He was purely a democracy lover. Franklin was the only Founding Father who signed all three documents for America’s Freedom. His negotiation ability converted a war into peace for the world.
The End of the Republic
“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Temporary Safety
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
― Benjamin Franklin
An Equal Dispensation
“An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages” that every one “is entitled to and ought to enjoy.”
― Benjamin Franklin
New Constitution
“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Quotes Teach Me
Involve Me
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Quotes About Time
Time
“Lost time is never found again.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Never Leave
“Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Squandering Time
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Will, Wit, and Judgement
“At twenty years of age the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Two Words
“The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry, and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality, nothing will do, and with them everything.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Delay
“You may delay, but time will not.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Prodigality
“If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Haste
“Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Lost Time
“You made delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Time & Money
“Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both.”
― Benjamin Franklin
One Day
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Each Year
“Each year one vicious habit discarded, in time might make the worst of us good.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Rising Late
“He that rises late must trot all day.”
― Benjamin Franklin
A Truly Great Man
“There never was a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.”
― Benjamin Franklin
A Little Neglect
“A little neglect may breed great mischief. … For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; for want of a horse, the battle was lost; for want of the battle, the war was lost.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Tomorrow Never Comes
“Tomorrow, every fault is to be amended; but that Tomorrow never comes.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Old Young Man
“An old young man will be a young old man.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Diligence & Good Luck
“Diligence is the mother of good luck, and God gives all things to industry. Work while it is called today, for you know not how much you may be hindered by tomorrow. One today is worth two tomorrows; never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Folly & Wickedness
“If you wouldn’t live long, live well; for folly and wickedness shorten life.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Leisure
“Leisure is the time for doing something useful.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Time, Time, Time
“Time is money.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Minute & An Hour
“Since thou are not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Many Foxes
“Many foxes grow gray, but few grow good.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Funny Benjamin Franklin Quotes
Be at War
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Three
“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”
― Benjamin Franklin
God Heals
“God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.”
― Benjamin Franklin
I Get Up
“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.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Saving
“If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Value of Money
“If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Doing Nothing
“The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you’re finished.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Trouble
“Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Death & Taxes are Certain
“Our constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.”
― Benjamin Franklin
God Works Wonders
“God works wonders now and then; Behold a lawyer, an honest man.”
― Benjamin Franklin
A Penny Saved
“A penny saved is a penny earned.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Necessity
“Necessity knows no law; I know some attorneys of the same.”
― Benjamin Franklin
To Be Happy
“In order to be happy you need a good dog, a good woman, and ready money.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Fat & Old
“I guess I don’t so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Make Friends Carefully
“He’s a fool that makes his doctor his heir.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Quotes On Love
Love Life
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Passion & Reason
“If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Love Your Enemies
“Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Love & Loveable
“If you would be loved, love, and be loveable.”
― Benjamin Franklin
No Rivals
“He who falls in love with himself will have no rivals.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Marriage & Love
“Where there’s marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Whip Well
“Love well, whip well.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Love & Toothache
“Love and toothache have many cures, but none infallible, except possession and dispossession.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Jack’s in Love
“If Jack’s in love, he’s no judge of Jill’s beauty.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Love of Liberty
“God grant, that not only the Love of Liberty, but a thorough Knowledge of the rights of man, may pervade all the Nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface, and say, ‘This is my Country.’”
― Benjamin Franklin
Comfort of Love
“The happy state of matrimony is, undoubtedly, the surest and most lasting Foundation of Comfort and Love . . . The cause of all good order in the World, and what alone preserves it from the utmost confusion.”
― Benjamin Franklin
One Good Husband
“One good husband is worth two good wives, for the scarcer things are, the more they are valued.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin Inventions
- Bifocals
- Swim Fins
- Franklin Stove
- Urinary Catheter
- Armonica
Some Interesting Facts About Benjamin Franklin
What is a famous teaching quote by Benjamin Franklin?
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”
― Benjamin Franklin
What Did Benjamin Franklin Say About Success?
“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”
― Benjamin Franklin
What is ‘Poor Richard’s Almanack’?
On December 19, 1732, Franklin published his first almanac named ‘Poor Richard’s Almanack’, his first almanac.
It was interesting publishing. The book covers some loving stuff such as the calendar, weather predictions, traveling guides, sayings, poems, and demographics.
It also included famous recipes, trivia, traveling advice, aphorisms, and proverbs about industry and frugality.
FAQs
What Did Benjamin Franklin Say About Success?
Here is what he said.
“To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.”
― Benjamin Franklin
Find more about success by Benjamin Franklin at faisalkiani.com
What is a famous teaching quote by Benjamin Franklin?
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”
Find more short, deep, and meaningful Benjamin Franklin quotes on education.
What Is Knowledge Benjamin Franklin Quotes?
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
He revealed how to invest. Where to invest? And what investment gives you the best return.
What Is Ben Franklin’s Most Famous Quote?
One of the famous Benjamin Franklin quotes is about time.
He writes that:
“Remember that time is money.”
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” Both became famous proverbs.
What Is Franklin’s Secret To A Better Life?
Benjamin Franklin had a goal of Moral Perfection. He believed that we can be spiritually perfect. Franklin wanted to be perfectly made him happier and more successful. This habit is what helped him achieve his goals.
What Is Ben Franklin’s Sayings Called?
His words became proverbs. The most famous of these include,
- “Well done is better than well said,”
- “Haste makes waste,”
- “A penny saved is twopence dear.”
What Did Benjamin Franklin Inspire?
Franklin’s many achievements helped shape American life in many ways. These achievements helped create democracy, technology, communication, literacy, fire safety, and common wisdom.
What Was Benjamin Franklin Most Famously Known For?
Franklin is famous for being the only Founding Father who signed all three documents that ended Britain’s. He helped write the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution, and he helped end the war between America and Britain by negotiating the Treaty of Paris.
What Is Benjamin Franklin’s Philosophy?
Franklin believed in democracy. His belief in science and reasoning enlightened his thoughts. Franklin was the ambassador of freedom of speech, education, wisdom, civic virtue, and political activism.
What are Important Facts About Benjamin Franklin?
Franklin is the only founding father that signed all four key documents that led to the formation of the United States. These include the Declaration of Independence:
- The Treaty of Alliance with France,
- The peace treaty with Great Britain in 1783
- The United States Constitution.
What Did Franklin Teach Himself?
He taught himself a new lesson and that was well done is more powerful than well said. So, he focused on elegance of expression” by writing more qualitative stuff.
What are Franklin’s 13 values?
He presented these 13.
- Temperance,
- Silence,
- Order,
- Resolution,
- Frugality,
- Industry,
- Sincerity,
- Justice,
- Moderation,
- Cleanliness,
- Tranquility,
- Chastity, and
- Humility.
13 wasn’t a nod to the original colonies, nor was it random.
What Is Franklin’s Message?
Franklin’s goal was to bring the different groups in America together to fight against the French and their native allies, and to get the British government to support a unified government for the colonies. He did not succeed in this goal, but his vision became so strong that it continues to influence people even today.
The Bottom Line
All of Benjamin Franklin Quotes invite us to play our vital role in love, education, democracy, and freedom. His vision for his nation remains alive a guide to remain alive with grace and dignity.
His words echo for liberty and freedom. His sayings became proverbs for the rest of the world to follow. You’d love to read them again and again.
