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 may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.
Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning.
Many a long dispute among divines may be thus abridged: It is so; It is not so. It is so; it is not so.
I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me.
Silence - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
You will observe with concern how long a useful truth may be known, and exist, before it is generally received and practiced on.
I scarce ever heard or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I may say," etc., but some vain thing immediately followed.
The noblest question in the world is: 'What good may I do in it?'
You may sometimes be much in the Wrong, in owning your being in the Right.
Suspicion may be no fault, but showing it may be a great one.
Don't you know, that all wives are in the right? It may be you don't, for you are yet a young husband.
The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.
We may perhaps learn to deprive large masses of their gravity and give them absolute levity, for the sake of easy transport.
Scarcely have I ever heard or read the introductory phrase, "I may say without vanity," but some striking and characteristic instance of vanity has immediately followed.