Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Benjamin Franklin (American Polymath)

Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) was an American statesman, inventor, diplomat, writer, and scientist. This leading figure in the American struggle for independence was one of the most versatile and talented men in colonial America.

Born in Boston, Franklin apprenticed to his brother, a printer, and began writing anonymously for his brother’s newspaper. He moved to Philadelphia, then to London, and returned to Philadelphia and established himself as a printer. He bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and turned it into one of the American colonies’ significant newspapers. He also wrote and published Poor Richard’s Almanack, an astronomy journal, under the pseudonym Richard Saunders. The Almanack became well known for the witty proverbs and maxims that Franklin included as fillers.

A leading delegate to the Continental Congress, Franklin became its architect. He was the only individual to sign all the three key documents of the new nation: the Declaration of Independence, the treaty with Great Britain that ended the American Revolution, and the U.S. Constitution.

Franklin held various government posts, including that of the deputy paymaster general of the colonies, and emissary to France and Great Britain. Franklin was also involved in many public projects, including founding the American Philosophical Society, a subscription library, and, in 1751, an academy that later became the University of Pennsylvania.

Franklin’s foremost scientific achievements were the formulation of a theory of electricity, which introduced positive and negative electricity, the demonstration of the electrical nature of lightning. His primary inventions were the lightning conductor, the “Franklin stove” (a kind of freestanding cast-iron heater,) and bifocal spectacles.

Franklin was legendary for his lifelong quest for self-improvement, as he thoroughly documented in his Autobiography (1791.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Benjamin Franklin

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Inspirational Quotes by Benjamin Franklin (American Polymath)

The people of England are the most enthusiastic in the world.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Enthusiasm

The Wolf sheds his Coat once a Year, his Disposition never.
—Benjamin Franklin

My rule, in which I have always found satisfaction, is, never to turn aside in public affairs through views of private interest; but to go straight forward in doing what appears to me right at the time, leaving the consequences with Providence.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Posterity

But in this world nothing is sure but death and taxes.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: World

Singularity in the right hath ruined many; happy those who are convinced of the general opinion.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Conformity

Half the Truth is often a great Lie.
—Benjamin Franklin

She laughs at everything you say. Why?. Because she has fine teeth.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Laughter

Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Certainty, Promises, Taxes

I am lord of myself, accountable to none.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Independence

Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He who is content. Who is that? Nobody.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Contentment, Government, Wisdom, People

Historians relate, not so much what is done, as what they would have believed.
—Benjamin Franklin

He that would have a short Lent, let him borrow money to be repaid at Easter.
—Benjamin Franklin

They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Security

Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Pride

Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy. When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be all of a piece; but it is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Pride

A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Tact

Power has only one duty—to secure the social welfare of the People.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Welfare, Power

Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but ever while you live, expense is constant and certain: and it is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel.
—Benjamin Franklin

Humility makes great men twice honourable.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Humility

One good husband is worth two good wives, for the scarcer things are, the more they are valued.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Husbands, Marriage

A man in a passion rides a wild horse.
—Benjamin Franklin

He that’s secure is not safe.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Safety

While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Control

Judaism is not complete without Christianity and without Judaism, Christianity would not exist.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Judaism

Energy and persistence alter all things.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Energy

The affections are the children of ignorance; when the horizon of our experience expands, and models multiply, love and admiration imperceptibly vanish.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Affection, Admiration

Many people die at twenty five and aren’t buried until they are seventy five.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Death

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Water, One liners

Lying rides upon debt’s back.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Lies, Deception/Lying

Experience keeps a dear school; but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that; for it is true, we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Experience, Fools, School

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