WIST

Leisure is Time for doing something useful; this Leisure the diligent Man will obtain but the lazy Man never.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
“The Way to Wealth” (7 Jul 1757)

Morality or Virtue is the end, faith only a Means to obtain that end: And if
the end be obtained, it is no matter by what means.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
“Dialogue Between Two Presbyterians” (1735)

The body of Benjamin Franklin, Printer (like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stripped of its lettering and gilding), lies here, food for worms; but the work shall not be lost, for it will (as he believed) appear once more in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the author.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
“Epitaph on Himself” (1778)
Variant words (and format):

The body of
B. Franklin
Printer
Like the cover of an old book,
its contents torn out,
and stripped of its lettering and gilding,
lies here, food for worms.
But the work shall not be wholly lost;
for it will, as he believed, appear once more,
in a new and more perfect edition
corrected and amended
by the Author.

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
“Reply to the Governor,” Pennsylvania Assembly (11 Nov 1755)
Also given as, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." (cited Historical Review of Pennsylvania (1759))

It is easier to suppress the first Desire than to satisfy all that follow it.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
“The Way to Wealth” (7 Jul 1757)

Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

Hear reason, or she’ll make you feel her.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

If passion drives, let reason hold the reins.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

He who multiplies riches multiplies cares.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself to it.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

If we take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

I haven’t failed, I’ve found ten thousand ways that don’t work.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)
(also attrib. Thomas Edison)

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

Actually a paraphrase from an undated letter to the Abbe Morallet: "We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana, as of a miracle.  But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes.  Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy!" [tr. from French]

If you would be loved, love, and be loveable.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearned, but still ’tis nonsense.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

You may delay, but Time will not.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
(Attributed)

A perfect character might be attended with the inconveniences of being envied and hated; … a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in contenance.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Autobiography, 1784 (1798)

Were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults in the first.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Autobiography, ch. 1

Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Old Richard’s Almanack (Oct 1755)

‘Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Alamanack (Oct 1745)

Up, Sluggard, and waste not life;
in the grave will be sleeping enough.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Alamanack (Sep 1741)

A good example is the best sermon.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack

It is Ill-manners to silence a fool, and Cruelty to let him go on.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack

Many a little makes a mickle. Beware of small expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack

Do good to thy friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack

Contentment makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack

Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack