Benjamin Franklin quotes

1706–1790 · Boston, MA

• The rapid Progress true Science now makes, occasions my Regretting sometimes that I was born so soon. It is impossible to imagine the Height to which may be carried in a 1000 Years the Power of Man over Matter.

• Sloth, like Rust, consumes faster than Labour wears, while the used Key is always bright.

• 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.

• …dost thou love Life, then do not squander Time, for that’s the Stuff Life is made of.

• Three may keep a Secret, if two of them are dead.

• Well done is better than well said.

• Remember that Time is Money. He that can earn Ten Shillings a Day by his Labour, and goes abroad, or sits idle one half of that Day, tho’ he spends but Sixpence during his Diversion or Idleness, ought not to reckon That the only Expence; he has really spent or rather thrown away Five Shillings besides.

• …there hardly ever existed such a thing as a bad Peace—or a good War.

• Printers are educated in the Belief, that when Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick; and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter.

• Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.