Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklinwas one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, 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 facilitated many civic organizations, including...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth17 January 1706
CityBoston, MA
CountryUnited States of America
He that blows the coals in quarrels he has nothing to do with has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face
Great wits jump (says the Poet) and hit his Head against the Post
for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too.
Friends and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing abatement.
Those that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
What pains our Justice takes his faults to hide, With half that pains sure he might cure 'em quite
Turn Turk Tim, and renounce thy Faith in Words as well as Actions: Is it worse to follow Mahomet than the Devil?
You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again.
You may be more happy than Princes, if you will be more virtuous.
Vice knows that she is ugly, so she puts on her mask.
Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask
Vessels large may venture more, but little boats should keep near shore.
You cannot pluck roses without fear of thorns, Nor enjoy a fair wife without danger of horns
We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!