Quotes by Franklin, Benjamin
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 April 17, 1790) was one of the most prominent of Founders and early political figures and statesmen of the United States. Considered the earliest of the Founders, Franklin was noted for his curiosity, ingenuity and diversity of interests. His wit and wisdom is proverbial to this day. More than anyone he shaped the American Revolution despite never holding national elective office. As a leader of the Enlightenment he had the attention of scientists and intellectuals all across Europe. As agent in London before the Revolution, and Minister to France during, he more than anyone defined the new nation in the minds of Europe. His success in securing French military and financial aid was decisive for American victory over Britain. He invented the lightning rod; he invented the notion of colonial unity; he invented the idea of America; historians hail him as the "First American". The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will mark Franklin's 300th Birthday in January 2006, with a wide array of exhibitions, and events citing Franklin's extraordinary accomplishments throughout his illustrious career. · Can we improve this biography or this incorrect? Post your own bio in the forums.
"The proof of gold is fire..."
Franklin, Benjamin on adversity
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"Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it."
Franklin, Benjamin on advice
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"To bear other people's afflictions, everyone has courage and enough to spare."
Franklin, Benjamin on affliction
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"Many foxes grow gray but few grow good."
Franklin, Benjamin on age and aging
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"At twenty years of age the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment."
Franklin, Benjamin on age and aging
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"If you wouldn't live long, live well; for folly and wickedness shorten life."
Franklin, Benjamin on age and aging
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"An old young man, will be a young old man."
Franklin, Benjamin on age and aging
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"Rather go to bed with out dinner than to rise in debt."
Franklin, Benjamin on debt
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"Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest."
Franklin, Benjamin on deception
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"Who had deceived thee so often as thyself?"
Franklin, Benjamin on deception
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"It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow."
Franklin, Benjamin on desire
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"If you desire many things, many things will seem few."
Franklin, Benjamin on desire
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"Diligence is the mother of good luck."
Franklin, Benjamin on diligence
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"The discontented man finds no easy chair."
Franklin, Benjamin on discontent
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"Let thy discontents be thy secrets."
Franklin, Benjamin on discontent
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"What has become clear to you since we last met?"
Franklin, Benjamin on discovery
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"God heals and the doctor takes the fee."
Franklin, Benjamin on doctors
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"No nation was ever ruined by trade."
Franklin, Benjamin on economy and economics
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"I have met the enemy, and it is the eyes of other people."
Franklin, Benjamin on enemies
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"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults."
Franklin, Benjamin on enemies
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"Promises may fit the friends, but non-performance will turn them into enemies."
Franklin, Benjamin on enemies
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"Energy and persistence alter all things."
Franklin, Benjamin on energy
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"Nothing preaches better than the act."
Franklin, Benjamin on example
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"Well done, is better than well said."
Franklin, Benjamin on example
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"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else."
Franklin, Benjamin on excuses
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"Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed."
Franklin, Benjamin on expectation
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"Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship."
Franklin, Benjamin on expenditure
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"The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands."
Franklin, Benjamin on eyes
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"In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it."
Franklin, Benjamin on faith
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"The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason."
Franklin, Benjamin on faith
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"There have been as great souls unknown to fame as any of the most famous."
Franklin, Benjamin on fame
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"Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others."
Franklin, Benjamin on fashion
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