Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklinwas one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth17 January 1706
CityBoston, MA
CountryUnited States of America
Three can keep a secret if two are dead.
Trouble knocked on the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away
Trickery and treachery are the practices of fools that have not the wits enought to be honest
When I reflect, as I frequently do, upon the felicity I have enjoyed, I sometimes say to myself, that were the offer made me, I would engage to run again, from beginning to end, the same career of life. All I would ask, should be the privilege of an author, to correct in a second edition, certain errors of the first.
Great wits jump (says the Poet) and hit his Head against the Post
for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too.
Friends and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing abatement.
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.
If a man could half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.
If a Man casually exceeds, let him fast the next Meal, and all may be well again, provided it be not too often done; as if he exceed at Dinner, let him refrain a Supper, &c.
If we do not hang together, we will all hang separately.
Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and parliaments
Poor man, said I, you pay too much for your whistle.
Poor Dick, eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick