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
We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride and four times as much by our foolishness.
We know that the only alternative to private competition is government monopoly of enterprise. We know that when government monopolizes production, distribution, and employment, it is no longer the servant of men - it is their master. And, therefore, we know that economic liberty and political liberty are inseparable parts of the same ball of wax - that we must keep them both, or we shall lose them both.
Ere you consult your fancy, consult your purse.
Ever since Follies have pleas'd, Fools have been able to divert
Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never
Pox take you, is no curse to some people.
As to his Wife, John minds St. Paul, He's one/ That hath a Wife, and is as if he'd none.
If what most men admire, they would despise, 'Twould look as if mankind were growing wise
No workman without tools,/ Nor Lawyer without Fools,/ Can live by their Rules.
At the workman's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter
If you'd have your shoes last, put no nails in 'em.
They that study much, ought not to eat so much as those that work hard, their Digestion being not so good.
It would be thought a hard Government that should tax its People one tenth Part of their Time, to be employed in its Service.
If you'd have it done, Go: if not, Send