Benjamin Franklin Quotes

Benjamin Franklin is one of the most quoted Americans; his wisdom is timeless. Here are a few quotes to inspire you.

[Franklin wearing his coonskin cap]
Benjamin Franklin by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, after Charles Nicolas Cochin
line engraving, 1777 (NPG D2369)
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Creative Commons License

A few thought-provoking selections from Poor Richard’s Almanack:

“Would you live with ease? Do what you ought, not what you please.”

“Without justice, courage is weak.”

“Who pleasure gives, Shall joy receive.”

“A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.”

“Don’t throw stones at your neighbours, if your own windows are glass.”

“He that speaks much, is much mistaken.”

“Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.”

“Want of Care does us more Damage than Want of Knowledge.”

“Dost thou love Life, then do not squander Time, for that’s the Stuff Life is made of.”

And here is a bonus quote by Franklin’s contemporary, Cotton Mather.

 “While he thus devoured books, it came to pass that books devoured him.”

–Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana

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