The Personal Website of Mark W. Dawson

Containing His Articles, Observations, Thoughts, Meanderings,
and some would say Wisdom (and some would say not).

The Life and Contributions of Benjamin Franklin

I am a Franklin-phile, in that I have read many books, magazines, and articles about Benjamin Franklin and know much about his life and times. I have also volunteered, in my youth, as a science instructor at the Franklin Institute. I believe that Franklin was one of the greats of American history as well as one of the most important persons in all history. With that in mind, I have written this article on Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – April 17, 1790) was an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department and the University of Pennsylvania.

Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, initially as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies. As the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat." To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."

Franklin became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies, publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette at the age of 23. He became wealthy publishing this and Poor Richard's Almanack, which he authored under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders". After 1767, he was associated with the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of British policies.

He pioneered and was first president of Academy and College of Philadelphia which opened in 1751 and later became the University of Pennsylvania. He organized and was the first secretary of the American Philosophical Society and was elected president in 1769. Franklin became a national hero in America as an agent for several colonies when he spearheaded an effort in London to have the Parliament of Great Britain repeal the unpopular Stamp Act. An accomplished diplomat, he was widely admired among the French as American minister to Paris and was a major figure in the development of positive Franco-American relations. His efforts proved vital for the American Revolution in securing shipments of crucial munitions from France.

He was promoted to deputy postmaster-general for the British colonies in 1753, having been Philadelphia postmaster for many years, and this enabled him to set up the first national communications network. During the revolution, he became the first United States Postmaster General. He was active in community affairs and colonial and state politics, as well as national and international affairs. From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania. He initially owned and dealt in slaves but, by the late 1750s, he began arguing against slavery and became an abolitionist.

His colorful life and legacy of scientific and political achievement, and his status as one of America's most influential Founding Fathers, have seen Franklin honored more than two centuries after his death on coinage and the $100 bill, warships, and the names of many towns, counties, educational institutions, and corporations, as well as countless cultural references.

- From the Wikipedia article on Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin's favorite portrait of himself

Franklin’s Wisdom

Upon my readings in my youth on the life of Benjamin Franklin I came across his speech to the Constitutional Convention. On reading this I realized that there was much wisdom in this speech. Most especially I decided to incorporate two of the pearls of wisdom as a guiding factor in my life. They are:

For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.
– Benjamin Franklin

“doubt a little of your own infallibility.”
- Benjamin Franklin

So, therefore, I always doubted my own infallibility and was willing to change my mind or opinion based on better information or fuller consideration.

I also ran across a quote of Franklin’s that I also incorporated as a guiding factor in my life.

“Well done is better than well said.”
- Benjamin Franklin

This quote became the basis of my “If It’s Worth Doing Rule”, as I undertook to keep my boasting to a minimum and my accomplishments to the maximal.

Many other quotes and sayings of Benjamin Franklin were also pearls of wisdom. I have collected some of these quotes and sayings for your perusal at the end of this article. However, one other quote by Franklin best exemplifies his life:

“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all others, charity.”
- Benjamin Franklin

Franklin on Religion

Franklin was essentially a Deist, but not a doctrinal Deist. Near the end of his life, Franklin wrote a letter to Ezra Stiles responding to his request to elucidate his thoughts about religion (Franklin's Letter to Ezra Stiles). After eliciting Ezra Stiles promise not to reveal his response (which was kept a secret for several decades) Franklin responded with the following (extracted) quotes:

“Here is my Creed: I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we can render to him, is doing Good to his other Children. I think the System of Morals [devised by Jesus] and his Religion as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw, or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting Changes, and I have with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his Divinity.”
- Benjamin Franklin

“You desire to know something of my Religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it: But I do not take your Curiosity amiss, and shall endeavour in a few Words to gratify it. Here is my Creed: I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we can render to him, is doing Good to his other Children. That the Soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another Life respecting its Conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do, in whatever Sect I meet with them.”
- Benjamin Franklin

As can be seen from the above quotes Franklin believed in God and respected the religious beliefs of all who believed in a just and righteous God.

Franklin on Slavery

At the beginning of the 18^th century, when Franklin was born, slavery was considered a common institution with very few people questioning its morality. Indeed, it was considered a sign of wealth and prestige to own a few slaves. At the beginning of his life, Franklin paid little attention to the issue of slavery. However, when Franklin became a prosperous businessman, he purchased several slaves. Franklin owned two slaves, George and King, who worked as his personal servants and at his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, which commonly ran notices involving the sale or purchase of slaves and contracts for indentured laborers. The duties of his slaves were not odious or difficult, and Franklin always treated his slaves with politeness and respect. The purchase of negro slaves was expected of prosperous people, as negros were considered inferior and slavery was considered a kindness to them. Franklin never questioned this reasoning until later in his life. After 1758, Franklin started to change his opinion when his friend Samuel Johnson brought him to one of Dr. Bray’s schools for black children. He visited the school for black children, emerging from the visit with a "higher opinion of the black race than I had ever before entertained," and conceding that slaves “tendency to thievery might be attributed more to their situation than to ‘nature’". Dr. Bray Associates was a philanthropic association affiliated to the Church of England, and in 1759 he joined the association by donating money. In 1763, he wrote a letter to an English friend about this visit where he stated, "I was on the whole much pleased, and from what I then saw, have conceived a higher opinion of the natural capacities of the black race, than I had ever before entertained. Their apprehension seems as quick, their memory as strong, and their docility in every respect equal to that of white children". When Franklin left for England to represent Colonial interests, he took a slave with him (it was legal to own a slave in England, just not legal to buy or sell a slave in England). When Franklin left England, his slave informed him that he wished to stay in England as a free man. Franklin had every right under English law to have a constable seize the slave and put him aboard his returning ship. He did not do so and gave his slave his freedom, recognizing that while he fought for Colonial freedoms it was hypocritical to deny freedom to his slave (unverified reports also said he gave the free slave some money to assist him with his new-found freedom). After Franklin returned from France in 1785, he joined and became the President of the Philadelphia Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, often referred as the Abolition Society.

In Address to the Public, a letter dated November 9th, 1789, Franklin wrote wholeheartedly against the institution of slavery. One of Franklin’s most famous hoaxes “Historicus on the Slave Trade” was to skewer the arguments in favor of slavery. For more information please visit the Benjamin Franklin Historical Society website article on “Slavery and the Abolition Society”, and the PBS article “Citizen Ben – Abolitionist”.

Franklin on Public Projects and Philanthropy

One of his first public projects was to organize a block watch and raise money to pave and clean Philadelphia roads. His projects gradually became more ambitious and included creating pensions, providing welfare for widows, creating a volunteer militia, and building the University of Pennsylvania to educate the middle-class children. Franklin was also a founder of the Pennsylvania Hospital, built for those who could not afford care, he built institutions for the mentally disabled, a lending library, fire corps, and insurance. This was long before governments began to provide services to their citizens. Franklin was also philanthropic with his money, but with a caveat. He insisted that his contributions be utilized for the good of the common man and made sure that this happened before and after he gave his money. He donated money to several churches in Philadelphia (by purchasing a pew in the church – which was a common method of raising funds for churches), and he contributed significant funds for the construction of the first Synagogue in America. Most of his money was donated anonymously as he wished to live a non-ostentatious lifestyle. Indeed, his home and possessions were modest and never flashy. For more information on his public projects please visit the Benjamin Franklin Historical Society website article on a “Short Biography” of Benjamin Franklin.

Thoughts on Franklin

Rather than tell stories about Benjamin Franklin (which are better done in my recommendations in the Readings and Videos section of this article) I simply wish to highlight and recap the most important moments in Franklin’s life. For a more in-depth, but short and readable, introduction I would recommend you visit the “Benjamin Franklin Historical Society” website which contains articles on the following topics.

Franklin’s Youth

Franklin was always a precocious and rebellious child and adolescent. Keenly intelligent, with a thirst for knowledge, Franklin applied himself to these endeavors of knowledge and learning. He was also not content to believe “accepted” knowledge and instead used his intellect to reason on all subjects. He was industrious, as he always completed an effort that he started. These are the traits that he carried throughout his life. Originally, his father expected him to enter the Clergy, but he rebelled against this idea and talked about going to sea. With that his father apprenticed Benjamin to his brother James, who was a printer.

Franklin the Printer

After being apprenticed to his brother Benjamin discovered he enjoyed the printing business, and all aspects of the printing process, most especially the writing process. What he did not enjoy was his brother. His brother was dictatorial and sometimes harsh. It was during this period that he tricked his brother into publishing the “Silence Dogood” letters.

After a few years of apprenticeship Benjamin eventually ran away (a crime at that time) to first New York and finally Philadelphia. In Philadelphia he attempted to start a printing business and secured letters of recommendation and support from an (apparently) wealthy and influential man for his efforts. With these letters he went to England to obtain monies to purchase printers’ equipment. The letters turned out to be useless and Ben spent a few years in England as a printers’ workman to support himself and earn enough funds to purchase the printing equipment and return to Philadelphia. While in England he enjoyed a good life of drinking and carnalizing, and he admitted that he was very fortunate in not contracting the illnesses transmitted by woman of “low status”. But, unbeknownst to him he fathered a son, William, whom he later adopted and who would rise to the position of the Royal Governor of New Jersey. After returning to Philadelphia in September of 1730 Franklin entered into a common-law marriage with Deborah Reed, and together the couple raised 3 children: Francis, Sarah, and Franklin’s illegitimate son, William Franklin.

Upon returning to Philadelphia he established his printing business and began industrious exertions as well as unrelenting self-promotion for his business. In this he was very successful. Franklin was such an astute businessman he became wealthy enough in his middle age to retire to a life of science and philosophizing. Franklin also arranged to get appointed the Royal Postmaster General of the colonies, for which he collected a small salary, and a small fee for each letter sent (and given the volume of mail sent this small fee generate much income for Franklin). It was also during this period that he wrote and published “Poor Richard’s Almanac”, the most successful and profitable almanac of his time.

Franklin was also successful in what we now call franchising. In his travels as Postmaster General he arranged to establish local printing businesses by loaning the printer the monies to purchase the equipment and operate a printing business. Of course, he was repaid the monies lent by a share of the profits over many years. He also lent monies to other businessmen whom he thought would have, and operate, a profitable business. This was also repaid by a share of the profits over many years. As he lived a non-ostentatious lifestyle his expenses were modest, and he accumulated a fortune (some believe it was the largest fortune in Colonial America). In all these investments he kept a low profile and few, if any, knew of his investments or true wealth.

Franklin the Scientist/Inventor

Inventions

Benjamin Franklin was many things in his lifetime: a printer, a postmaster, an ambassador, an author, a scientist, a Founding Father. Above all, he was an inventor, creating solutions to common problems, innovating new technology, and even making life a little more musical.

Despite creating some of the most successful and popular inventions of the modern world, Franklin never patented a single one, believing that they should be shared freely:

"That as we enjoy great Advantages from the Inventions of others, we should be glad of an Opportunity to serve others by any Invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously."
- Benjamin Franklin

Some of Benjamin Franklin’s most significant inventions include; Bifocals, Carriage Odometer, Ferguson's Clock, Flexible Urinary Catheter, Library Chair, Lightning Rod, Odometer, Street Lamps, Swimming Fins, The Franklin Stove, The Extension Arm, and The Glass Armonica, as outlined in “Benjamin Franklin Inventions”.

Scientist

In the 1740s electricity was a known phenomenon, but mostly known for magic tricks by creating sparks and shocks. Scientists were conducting experiments with electricity, but scientific thinking about electricity had not changed much in hundreds of years. Franklin set about to change this by conducting Scientific experiments to discover the nature of electricity. In this he was quite successful and garnered an international reputation as a scientist. For more information please visit the article on “Experiments with electricity” on the Benjamin Franklin Historical Society website.

Franklin the Politician

In Pennsylvania’s colonial government, Franklin served as the Clerk of the General Assembly from 1736-1750. In 1751-1764, 1773, and 1775, Franklin was an elected member of the Colonial Assembly, representing Philadelphia City as outlined in the article “PA House Speaker Biographies”. While serving in the Assembly two main issues drew his attention; The French and Indian Wars, and the disputes with Thomas Penn.

During his service as a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, Franklin became concerned about the Commonwealth's failure to defend its colonists against the encroaching French and its native allies, which eventually became the French and Indian Wars. When war broke out Franklin, along with a few others, was given the title Provincial Commissioner, taking charge of voluntary troops and bulking up defenses by building a line of forts. However, his service was short-lived as British lawmakers, supposedly under the influence of Thomas Penn, removed his commission and incorporated into their conclusions that he had to attend to more significant duties.

Thomas Penn, a son of William Penn, inherited the position of Proprietor of the Colony of Pennsylvania for the British Crown in 1718 along with his brothers John and Richard on the death of their father William Penn, until 1746 when John died. Thomas continued as the Proprietor with Richard's son, John, and his own son John Penn until 1775. He tried to bring his family out of the debt that had plagued his father. He asserted his independence from the Quaker religion and tried to assert his control of the colony almost as a feudal lord. Franklin traveled to England on November 1764, in order to petition the King’s ministers for a royal charter in Pennsylvania to free themselves from Thomas Penn’s autocratic control. It this effort he did not succeed, but he remained in England for many years where he became the spokesperson for Colonial American interests.

Franklin the Statesman

During the 1760s Britain imposed a series of taxes on its American colonies (1764 Sugar Act and Currency Act, 1765 Stamp Act and Quartering Act, 1767 Townshend Act) to pay for its increasing national debt and cost of military protection of its American colonies. The colonies protested against their implementation under the slogan “No Taxation without Representation”.

While in England, Franklin became involved in advocating for the repeal of these acts. His efforts were eventually successful, and these acts were repealed but not without much animosity between England and Colonial America. By the time he returned to America, nearly 10 years after arriving in England, Franklin was no longer a supporter of establishing a royal government in Pennsylvania and was instead supportive of independence from England. This gradual change of heart was based on his dealings with the Royal Court and Parliament but was precipitated by his experience in the “Hutchinson Affair”, in which he said that he entered the Cockpit as a British subject but left it as an American.

Upon his return to Pennsylvania Franklin quietly began advocating for Independence. This was dangerous because such activities were considered seditious and perhaps treasonous, punishable by death from hanging. When the The Second Continental Congress was formed Franklin became a member of the Congress were he advocated for Independence. He was appointed as a member of the small committee to draft a Declaration of Independence, as well as other committees. While Thomas Jefferson was solely responsible for writing the first draft of the Declaration the committee made minor edits to the draft. Franklin and the committee members then maneuvered the Declaration of Independence through the Second Continental Congress where it was adopted on July 4^th, 1776.

When the Revolutionary War began Franklin as appointed Minister to France where the Second Continental Congress hoped Franklin could obtain assistance from the French King Louis XVI, and perhaps a Treaty with France which would bring them into the war on Americas side. Through a series of brilliant diplomatic maneuvers Franklin was able to achieve both these goals. These efforts were so important to American victory that George Washington often stated that he could not have achieved victory on the battlefield without the diplomatic efforts of Benjamin Franklin in France.

After returning from France Franklin briefly retired from public life but was soon brought out of retirement to become a member of The Constitutional Convention in 1787. America under the Articles of Confederation was foundering. Revolutionary War debts, economic strife within and between the States, taxation and restrictions on interstate trade, State border disputes, Western Territorial expansion disputes, and other problems where threating to tear America apart and perhaps lead to war between the States. In addition, England had not turned over all the territory and forts as they had agreed to do so in the treaty the ended the Revolutionary War. England was hoping that the strife in the former colonies would lead some of these former colonies to rejoin England. The French were still in control of the Louisiana Territory west of the Mississippi River, and more important the Port City of New Orleans which was critical to the trade of the western territories, and they were making aggressive moves, economic and military, against America. Spain was still in control of most of Florida much to the annoyance of Georgia. Surrounded by threating foreign powers on its land borders, and trade problems on the Atlantic coastline, there was a real danger of the collapse of democratic government, and even some support for the crowning of a King for America. This situation needed to be resolved and resolved quickly, and with the agreement of all the States.

A convention was called to determine what amendments were needed to The Articles of Confederation, but it was soon apparent that the Articles needed to be replaced. The convention quickly became the Constitutional Convention for the replacement of the Articles of Confederation. Franklin, being old and infirmed, was not as active in the drafting of the Constitution as he had been during the Second Continental Congress, but he tirelessly advocated for the protection of individual freedoms and liberties in the Constitution. He also was a conciliator between the different factions within the convention. Benjamin Franklin, one of the few Americans of the time with international repute, wanted to give a short speech to the Convention prior to the vote and signing of the final draft of the Constitution. There was very much a concern that the Constitution would not be approved by the delegates as there were many parts of the Constitution that many delegates disapproved of. Too weak to give the speech himself, he had fellow Pennsylvanian James Wilson deliver the speech. It is considered a masterpiece of conciliation (Franklin's Speech to the Constitutional Convention). After this speech was given to the members present (some members had walked out before the day of the vote in protest) then voted to unanimously approve the Constitution. They also kept silent about their doubts and objections and worked to have the Constitution endorsed by the people and turn their future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administered, as Franklin suggested in his speech.

There were also some who considered the possibility of Benjamin Franklin becoming the first President of the United States, but Franklin quashed this idea. He wrote to his supports that he was too old and infirmed for the position, which he said needed a vigorous and honest person to guide the new country, and that he was throwing all his support to George Washington. Without opposition George Washington became the first President of the United States, and the only person to ever be unanimously elected President of the United States.

Death of Franklin

As Benjamin Franklin was on his deathbed, he received many letters’ from his friends and well-wishers. Upon his death in 1790, the United States House of Representatives went into a month-long period of official mourning. The French National Assembly declared a 3-day mourning period. His funeral was attended by one of the largest crowds in Philadelphia history at that time, and he was lauded by most dignitaries of his time. He was as beloved to his countrymen as was George Washington was beloved. Perhaps the most touching and sincere letter came from his good friend, fellow revolutionary, and The President of the United States - George Washington. All Americans should read this (short) letter From George Washington: To B. Franklin to gain an understanding of the meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s life in America.

Other (short) Articles about Benjamin Franklin:

Franklin’s Speeches and Letters

Readings and Videos:

Benjamin Franklin DVD
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
Benjamin Franklin: An Illustrated History of His Life and Times (Time: Architects of America)
The Man Who Dared the Lightning: A New Look at Benjamin Franklin by Thomas J. Fleming
The Wit & Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin 2nd Printing Edition by James C. Humes

Benjamin Franklin Quotes:

A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.
All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse.
All would live long, but none would be old.
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.
Anger is never without Reason, but seldom with a good One.
At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment.
Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.
Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.
Beware of the young doctor and the old barber.
Content makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
Drive thy business or it will drive thee.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society.
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure.
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
Genius without education is like silver in the mine.
Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never well mended.
God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.
Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.
He is ill clothed that is bare of virtue.
He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face.
He that can have patience can have what he will.
He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.
He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
He that would live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows nor judge all he sees.
A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.
A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.
A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.
A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.
A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
A place for everything, everything in its place.
A small leak can sink a great ship.
Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.
Admiration is the daughter of ignorance.
All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.
All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones.
All who think cannot but see there is a sanction like that of religion which binds us in partnership in the serious work of the world.
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
And whether you're an honest man, or whether you're a thief,Depends on whose solicitor has given me my brief.
Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.
Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security.
Applause waits on success.
As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence.
At twenty years of age the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.
Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.
Beauty and folly are old companions.
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.
Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.
Beware the hobby that eats.
Buy what thou hast no need of and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessities.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.
Creditors have better memories than debtors.
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
Distrust and caution are the parents of security.
Do good to your friends to keep them, to your enemies to win them.
Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.
Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of.
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Each year one vicious habit discarded, in time might make the worst of us good.
Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
Even peace may be purchased at too high a price.
Experience is a dear teacher, but fools will learn at no other.
Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.
Fatigue is the best pillow.
For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.
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.
Games lubricate the body and the mind.
Genius without education is like silver in the mine.
God helps those who help themselves.
God works wonders now and then; Behold a lawyer, an honest man.
Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.
Half a truth is often a great lie.
Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.
He does not possess wealth; it possesses him.
He that can have patience can have what he will.
He that composes himself is wiser than he that composes a book.
He that displays too often his wife and his wallet is in danger of having both of them borrowed.
He that has done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.
He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
He that raises a large family does, indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand a broader mark for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too.
He that rises late must trot all day.
He that speaks much, is much mistaken.
He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner.
He that won't be counseled can't be helped.
He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees.
He that's secure is not safe.
He who falls in love with himself will have no rivals.
Hear reason, or she'll make you feel her.
Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?
Honesty is the best policy.
How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.
Human felicity is produced not as much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen as by little advantages that occur every day.
Hunger is the best pickle.
I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things.
I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.
I guess I don't so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old.
I look upon death to be as necessary to our constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.
I saw few die of hunger; of eating, a hundred thousand.
I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end: requesting only the advantage authors have, of correcting in a second edition the faults of the first.
I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up.
If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.
If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.
If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him.
If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.
If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.
If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality.
If you desire many things, many things will seem few.
If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone.
If you would be loved, love and be lovable.
If you would be loved, love, and be loveable.
If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like, serve yourself.
If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.
If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write something worth reading or do things worth writing.
If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.
In general, mankind, since the improvement of cookery, eats twice as much as nature requires.
In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Industry need not wish.
It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness and I pronounce it as certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.
It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.
It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow.
It is only when the rich are sick that they fully feel the impotence of wealth.
It is the eye of other people that ruin us. If I were blind I would want, neither fine clothes, fine houses or fine furniture.
It is the working man who is the happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man.
It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.
Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.
Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.
Leisure is the time for doing something useful. This leisure the diligent person will obtain the lazy one never.
Life's Tragedy is that we get old to soon and wise too late.
Lost time is never found again.
Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself to it.
Many foxes grow gray but few grow good.
Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five.
Marriage is the most natural state of man, and... the state in which you will find solid happiness.
Mine is better than ours.
Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants.
Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.
Most people return small favors, acknowledge medium ones and repay greater ones - with ingratitude.
Necessity never made a good bargain.
Never confuse motion with action.
Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.
Never take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in.
Nine men in ten are would be suicides.
No nation was ever ruined by trade.
Observe all men, thyself most.
One today is worth two tomorrows.
Our necessities never equal our wants.
Rather go to bed with out dinner than to rise in debt.
Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God.
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
Remember that credit is money.
Savages we call them because their manners differ from ours.
She laughs at everything you say. Why? Because she has fine teeth.
Since thou are not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.
Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75.
Speak ill of no man, but speak all the good you know of everybody.
Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste.
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
The absent are never without fault, nor the present without excuse.
The art of acting consists in keeping people from coughing.
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
The discontented man finds no easy chair.
The doors of wisdom are never shut.
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance.
The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands.
The first mistake in public business is the going into it.
The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either.
The strictest law sometimes becomes the severest injustice.
The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself.
The use of money is all the advantage there is in having it.
The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
There are three faithful friends - an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.
There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self.
There are two ways of being happy: We must either diminish our wants or augment our means - either may do - the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.
There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government.
There never was a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.
There was never a good war, or a bad peace.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.
Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.
Those that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Those that won't be counseled can't be helped.
Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into execution new projects. The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forced by the occasion.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Three can keep a secret if two are dead.
Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
Time is money.
To Follow by faith alone is to follow blindly.
To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.
To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.
Tomorrow every fault is to be amended; but tomorrow never comes.
Tomorrow, every Fault is to be amended; but that Tomorrow never comes.
Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.
Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.
Wars are not paid for in wartime, the bill comes later.
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.
We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under heaven. Every man among us reads, and is so easy in his circumstances as to have leisure for conversations of improvement and for acquiring information.
We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
Well done is better than well said.
Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.
When befriended, remember it; when you befriend, forget it.
When in doubt, don't.
When men and woman die, as poets sung, his heart's the last part moves, her last, the tongue.
When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration?
When you're finished changing, you're finished.
Where liberty is, there is my country.
Where sense is wanting, everything is wanting.
Where there's marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.
Who had deceived thee so often as thyself?
Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.
Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.
Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.
Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.
Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it.
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.
Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning.
Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.
Write injuries in dust, benefits in marble.
Write your injuries in dust, your benefits in marble.
You can bear your own faults, and why not a fault in your wife?
You may delay, but time will not.
Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.

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