WIST

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)

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

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

Children and Princes will quarrel for Trifles.

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

He that can have patience can have what he will.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1736)
Full text.

Many a long dispute among Divines may be thus abridg’d, It is so; It is not so. It is so; It is not so.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1743)
Full text.

A little well-gotten will do us more good,
Than lordships and scepters by Rapine and Blood.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1743)
Full text.

How many observe Christ’s Birth-day! How few, his Precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1743)

Full text.

The World is full of fools and faint hearts; and yet every one has courage enough to bear the misfortunes, and wisdom enough to manage the Affairs of his neighbour.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1743)

Full text.

Men differ daily, about things which are subject to Sense, is it likely then they should agree about things invisible.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1743)

Full text.

He that is of Opinion Money will do every Thing, may well be suspected of doing every Thing for Money.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1753)
See also Halifax.

Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1756)

Experience keeps a dear school, yet fools will learn in no other.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1757)

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1757)

Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (1757)

You may delay, but Time will not.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Apr 1758)

Necessity never made a good bargain.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Apr. 1735)

Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Aug 1750)

‘Tis a great Confidence in a Friend to tell him your Faults, greater to tell him his.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Aug 1751)

Experience keeps a dear school, yet Fools will learn in no other.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Dec 1743)

Tell me my Faults, and mend your own.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Dec 1756)

Setting too good an Example is a Kind of Slander seldom forgiven.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Feb 1753)

Blame-all and Praise-all are two blockheads.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Feb. 1734)

Sloth and Silence are a Fool’s Virtues.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Jul 1735)

Anger is never without a Reason,
But seldom with a good One.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Jul 1753)

Good Sense is Thing all need, few have,
and none think they lack.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Jun 1746)

Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (Mar 1756)

Where there’s Marriage without Love, there will be Love without Marriage.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher
Poor Richard’s Almanack (May 1734)