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Forewarn'd, forearm'd, unless in the case of cuckolds, who are often forearm'd before warn'd.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack
There have been as great Souls unknown to fame as any of the most famous.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734
- He that by the Plough would thrive,
- Himself must either hold or drive.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
Idleness and Pride Tax with a heavier Hand than Kings and Parliaments.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, letter to Charles Thomson, Jul. 11, 1765
The absent are never without fault, nor the present without excuse.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
Half the Truth is often a great Lie.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
Don't overload Gratitude; if you do, she'll kick.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1741
He is a Governor that governs his Passions, and he a Servant that serves them.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750
Teach your child to hold his tongue, he'll learn fast enough to speak.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734
Most people return small Favours, acknowledge middling ones, and repay great ones with Ingratitude.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1751
Content is the Philosopher's Stone, that turns all it touches into Gold.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
All Wars are Follies, very expensive, and very mischievous ones. When will Mankind be convinced of this, and agree to settle their Differences by Arbitration? Were they to do it, even by the Cast of a Dye, it would be better than by Fighting and destroying each other.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, letter to Mary Hewson, Jan. 27, 1783
Beware of little Expenses, a small Leak will sink a great Ship.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1745
Beware of the young doctor and the old barber.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack
We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana as of a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy. The miracle in question was only performed to hasten the operation, under circumstances of present necessity, which required it.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, letter to Abbé Morellet, 1779
Hear Reason, or she'll make you feel her.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1744
There is much difference between imitating a good man, and counterfeiting him.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
He's a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1745
Anger is never without a Reason, but seldom with a good One.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1753
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737
The Way to see by Faith, is to shut the Eye of Reason: The Morning Daylight appears plainer when you put out your Candle.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
Tricks and Treachery are the Practice of Fools, that have not Wit enough to be honest.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1740
- If evils come not, then our fears are vain:
- And if they do, Fear but augments the pain.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1741
The world is full of fools and faint hearts; and yet everyone has courage enough to bear the misfortunes, and wisdom enough to manage the Affairs of his neighbor.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1743
Great talkers should be cropt, for they've no need of ears.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
He that cannot obey, cannot command.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734
Men take more pains to mask than to mend.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1757
Friends are the true Sceptres of Princes.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1754
Presumption first blinds a Man, then sets him a running.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1749
- Each year one vicious habit rooted out,
- In time might make the worst Man good throughout.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
He that speaks much, is much mistaken.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
Cut the Wings of your Hens and Hopes, lest they lead you a weary Dance after them.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1754
Genius without Education is like Silver in the Mine.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750
He's a fool that makes his doctor his heir.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1733
Don't think to hunt two hares with one dog.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734
In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions so hard to subdue as Pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself. You will see it perhaps often in this History. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Autobiography
'Tis a well spent penny that saves a groat.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1749
Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her Mask.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1746
Fear not Death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1740
Fish & Visitors stink in 3 days.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
If you'd lose a troublesome Visitor, lend him Money.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1744
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