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
Benjamin Franklin quotes about
A lighthouse is more useful than a church.
I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.
Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith.
The man who does things makes mistakes, but he doesn't make the biggest mistake of all-doing nothing.
He [the Rev. Mr. Whitefield] used, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard.
I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms.
Mankind are very odd creatures: one half censure what they practice, the other half practice what they censure; the rest always say and do as they ought.
The poor man must walk to get meat for his stomach, the rich man to get a stomach to his meat.
Thou can'st not joke an enemy into a friend, but thou may'st a friend into an enemy.
Duty is not beneficial because it is commanded, but is commanded because it is beneficial.
He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly need not be rich.
As charms are nonsense, nonsense is a charm.
They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.
Those who are fear'd, are hated.