Benjamin Franklin Quotes

was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States

As we benefit from the inventions of others, we should be glad to share our own ... freely and gladly. Men differ daily about things which are subject to sense, is it likely then they should agree about things invisible. Beer is God's way of telling us that he loves us and wants us to be happy. There is always room for the man of force. As to the kindness you mention, I wish I could have been of more service to you than I have been, but if I had, the only thanks that I should desire are that you would always be ready to serve any other person that may need your assistance, and so let good offices go around, for humankind are all of a family. As for my own part, when I am employed in serving others I do not look upon myself as conferring favors but paying debts. By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament. An investment in education always pays the highest returns. Necessity is our quickest excuse. Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor but the highest form of flattery. Remember, that money is of the prolific, generating nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring can beget more, and so on. Five shillings turned is six, turned again it is seven and threepence, and so on, till it becomes a hundred pounds. The more there is of it, the more it produces every turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker. He that kills a breeding sow, destroys all her offspring to the thousandth generation. He that murders a crown, destroys all that it might have produced, even scores of poun Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way. That was a true proverb of the wise man, rely upon it; Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith. My rule, in which I have always found satisfaction, is, never to turn aside in public affairs through views of private interest; but to go straight forward in doing what appears to me right at the time, leaving the consequences with Providence. We must not in the course of public life expect immediate approbation and immediate grateful acknowledgment of our services. But let us persevere through abuse and even injury. The internal satisfaction of a good conscience is always present, and time will do us justice in the minds of the people, even those at present the most prejudiced against us. Is there anything men take more pains about than to render themselves unhappy? The used key is always bright. Success has ruined many a man. When you speak to a man, look on his eyes; when he speaks to you, look on his mouth. Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, creator of the Universe. That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render him is doing good to his other children. That the soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. What signifies knowing the Names, if you know not the Natures of things. Idleness is the Dead Sea that swallows all virtues. Be active in business, that temptation may miss her aim; the bird that sits is easily shot. Keep flax from fire, and youth from gaming. Getting into debt, is getting into a tanglesome net. He that's content hath enough. He that speaks ill of the mare will buy her. There are no ugly loves nor handsome prisons. I am about courting a girl I have had but little acquaintance with. How shall I come to a knowledge of her faults, and whether she has the virtues I imagine she has? Answer. Commend her among her female acquaintances. Furnished as all Europe now is with Academies of Science, with nice instruments and the spirit of experiment, the progress of human knowledge will be rapid and discoveries made of which we have at present no conception. I begin to be almost sorry I was born so soon, since I cannot have the happiness of knowing what will be known a hundred years hence. Singularity in the right hath ruined many; happy those who are convinced of the general opinion. If your riches are yours, why don't you take them with you to the other world? The height of foolishness is to discard an opportunity without full investigation

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