150 Best Benjamin Franklin Quotes: Timeless Wisdom from America's Renaissance Man

Patrick WrightJuly 2, 2025

150 Best Benjamin Franklin Quotes: Timeless Wisdom from America's Renaissance Man

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) stands as one of the most influential figures in American history. A true polymath, Franklin wore many hats throughout his remarkable life: inventor, scientist, diplomat, author, printer, political theorist, and Founding Father. His contributions to society ranged from the invention of bifocals and the lightning rod to his pivotal role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

What makes Franklin's legacy even more enduring is his wit and wisdom, captured in countless quotes that continue to inspire and guide us today. His observations on life, liberty, success, and human nature remain as relevant in the 21st century as they were in colonial America. Through his writings, particularly in Poor Richard's Almanack, Franklin dispensed practical advice with a blend of humor and profound insight that has made him one of the most quoted figures in history.

This collection of 150 of Franklin's best quotes reveals the depth of his understanding of human nature and his gift for expressing complex truths in simple, memorable phrases. From financial wisdom to thoughts on freedom, from observations on character to insights on happiness, these quotes showcase why Benjamin Franklin remains a source of inspiration centuries after his death.

Table of Contents

  1. Liberty and Freedom
  2. Wisdom and Knowledge
  3. Money and Wealth
  4. Character and Virtue
  5. Industry and Success
  6. Life and Death
  7. Relationships and Society
  8. Self-Improvement and Growth

Liberty and Freedom

Franklin's passionate defense of liberty and his warnings about the dangers of sacrificing freedom for security remain some of his most powerful and relevant quotes today.

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech." - Benjamin Franklin

"They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Benjamin Franklin

"Ohne Gedankenfreiheit gibt es keine Weisheit. Und ohne Redefreiheit keine öffentliche Freiheit." - Benjamin Franklin

"The U.S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself." - Benjamin Franklin

"If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed." - Benjamin Franklin

"The Massachusetts must suffer all the hazards and mischiefs of war rather than admit the alteration of their charter and laws by parliament." - Benjamin Franklin

"In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria." - Benjamin Franklin

"Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom." - Benjamin Franklin

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." - Benjamin Franklin

"Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature." - Benjamin Franklin

"Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God." - Benjamin Franklin

"Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." - Benjamin Franklin

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch." - Benjamin Franklin

"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are." - Benjamin Franklin

"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority." - Benjamin Franklin

"Any society that will give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin

Wisdom and Knowledge

Franklin's lifelong pursuit of knowledge and his insights on wisdom showcase his belief in the power of education and continuous learning.

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin

"From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books." - Benjamin Franklin

"Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that." - Benjamin Franklin

"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing." - Benjamin Franklin

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin

"The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn't know how to read." - Benjamin Franklin

"... a book indeed sometimes debauched me from my work...." - Benjamin Franklin

"Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn." - Benjamin Franklin

"The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance." - Benjamin Franklin

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine." - Benjamin Franklin

"The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearned, but it is still nonsense." - Benjamin Franklin

"Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man." - Benjamin Franklin

"Learn of the skillful; he that teaches himself, has a fool for his master." - Benjamin Franklin

"Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late." - Benjamin Franklin

"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." - Benjamin Franklin

"Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it." - Benjamin Franklin

"The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that won't be counseled can't be helped." - Benjamin Franklin

"When in doubt, don't." - Benjamin Franklin

Money and Wealth

Franklin's practical advice on money management and his observations on wealth have made him a timeless source of financial wisdom.

"A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned." - Benjamin Franklin

"The Use of Money is all the Advantage there is in having Money." - Benjamin Franklin

"The poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much, enough not one." - Benjamin Franklin

"The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both." - Benjamin Franklin

"It is hard for an empty sack to stand upright." - Benjamin Franklin

"Remember that time is money." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money." - Benjamin Franklin

"Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness." - Benjamin Franklin

"Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it." - Benjamin Franklin

"Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt." - Benjamin Franklin

"Creditors have better memories than debtors." - Benjamin Franklin

"Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries." - Benjamin Franklin

"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing." - Benjamin Franklin

"The borrower is a slave to the lender, and the debtor to the creditor." - Benjamin Franklin

"If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone." - Benjamin Franklin

"Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody." - Benjamin Franklin

"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." - Benjamin Franklin

Character and Virtue

Franklin's observations on character, virtue, and moral behavior reflect his belief in self-improvement and ethical living.

"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." - Benjamin Franklin

"Keep Conscience clear, then never fear." - Benjamin Franklin

"Great beauty, great strength, and great riches are really and truly of no great use; a right heart exceeds all." - Benjamin Franklin

"Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin

"A perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance." - Benjamin Franklin

"It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them." - Benjamin Franklin

"How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them." - Benjamin Franklin

"Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas." - Benjamin Franklin

"Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never well mended." - Benjamin Franklin

"It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it." - Benjamin Franklin

"Honesty is the best policy." - Benjamin Franklin

"Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools that don't have brains enough to be honest." - Benjamin Franklin

"Half the truth is often a great lie." - Benjamin Franklin

"A good conscience is a continual Christmas." - Benjamin Franklin

"Never ruin an apology with an excuse." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that speaks much, is much mistaken." - Benjamin Franklin

"Speak little, do much." - Benjamin Franklin

Industry and Success

Franklin's emphasis on hard work, diligence, and perseverance shaped the American work ethic and continues to inspire success seekers today.

"Be studious in your profession, and you will be learned. Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy." - Benjamin Franklin

"You will find the key to success under the alarm clock." - Benjamin Franklin

"Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy; and he that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night." - Benjamin Franklin

"Hide not your talents, they for use were made, What's a sundial in the shade?" - Benjamin Franklin

"I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong." - Benjamin Franklin

"Energy and persistence conquer all things." - Benjamin Franklin

"Diligence is the mother of good luck." - Benjamin Franklin

"God helps those who help themselves." - Benjamin Franklin

"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." - Benjamin Franklin

"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today." - Benjamin Franklin

"Lost time is never found again." - Benjamin Franklin

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of." - Benjamin Franklin

"You may delay, but time will not." - Benjamin Franklin

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." - Benjamin Franklin

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." - Benjamin Franklin

"The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands." - Benjamin Franklin

"Drive thy business, let not that drive thee." - Benjamin Franklin

"Industry need not wish." - Benjamin Franklin

"Plough deep while sluggards sleep." - Benjamin Franklin

Life and Death

Franklin's philosophical reflections on life, death, and mortality reveal his acceptance of life's natural cycles and his emphasis on living meaningfully.

"Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five." - Benjamin Franklin

"Be not sick too late, nor well too soon." - Benjamin Franklin

"Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal." - Benjamin Franklin

"Nine men in ten are would-be suicides." - Benjamin Franklin

"That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God." - Benjamin Franklin

"We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!" - Benjamin Franklin

"Games lubricate the body and mind." - Benjamin Franklin

"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." - Benjamin Franklin

"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." - Benjamin Franklin

"Most people return small favors, acknowledge medium ones and repay greater ones - with ingratitude." - Benjamin Franklin

"Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late." - Benjamin Franklin

"Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75." - Benjamin Franklin

"When you're finished changing, you're finished." - Benjamin Franklin

"A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough." - Benjamin Franklin

"Wish not so much to live long as to live well." - Benjamin Franklin

"The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness." - Benjamin Franklin

"Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that lives upon hope will die fasting." - Benjamin Franklin

Relationships and Society

Franklin's insights on human relationships, love, marriage, and social dynamics demonstrate his keen understanding of human nature.

"Tis a great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults; greater to tell him his." - Benjamin Franklin

"Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing." - Benjamin Franklin

"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards." - Benjamin Franklin

"I know not which lives more unnatural lives, obeying husbands, or commanding wives." - Benjamin Franklin

"If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty." - Benjamin Franklin

"After three days men grow weary, of a wench, a guest, and weather rainy." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that can have patience can have what he will." - Benjamin Franklin

"Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; Revenging one makes you but even with him; forgiving it sets you above him." - Benjamin Franklin

"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults." - Benjamin Franklin

"A brother may not be a friend, but a friend will always be a brother." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that has done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another." - Benjamin Franklin

"To find out a girl's faults, praise her to her girl friends." - Benjamin Franklin

"Marriage is the most natural state of man." - Benjamin Franklin

"Where there's marriage without love, there will be love without marriage." - Benjamin Franklin

"A good wife and health are a man's best wealth." - Benjamin Franklin

"He that displays too often his wife and his wallet is in danger of having both of them borrowed." - Benjamin Franklin

"Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days." - Benjamin Franklin

"A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines." - Benjamin Franklin

Self-Improvement and Growth

Franklin's dedication to self-improvement and his practical advice for personal growth continue to inspire those seeking to better themselves.

"Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will." - Benjamin Franklin

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!" - Benjamin Franklin

"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means." - Benjamin Franklin

"Cowards can handle Arms, can strike where they are sure to meet with no Return." - Benjamin Franklin

"It's better to swim in the sea below Than to swing in the air and feed the crow, Says jolly Ned Teach of Bristol." - Benjamin Franklin

"Never confuse motion with action." - Benjamin Franklin

"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions." - Benjamin Franklin

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Benjamin Franklin

"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame." - Benjamin Franklin

"Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one." - Benjamin Franklin

"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." - Benjamin Franklin

"Clean your finger before you point at my spots." - Benjamin Franklin

"Observe all men, thyself most." - Benjamin Franklin

"There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self." - Benjamin Franklin

"Who is wise? He that learns from everyone." - Benjamin Franklin

"Who is powerful? He that governs his passions." - Benjamin Franklin

"Who is happy? He that is content." - Benjamin Franklin

"Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste." - Benjamin Franklin

"Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve." - Benjamin Franklin

"Each year one vicious habit discarded, in time might make the worst of us good." - Benjamin Franklin

Conclusion

Benjamin Franklin's quotes continue to resonate with us because they capture universal truths about the human condition. His wisdom spans every aspect of life - from the practical matters of money and work to the profound questions of liberty and mortality. What makes Franklin's observations so enduring is their combination of common sense, wit, and deep insight into human nature.

As one of America's Founding Fathers, Franklin helped shape not just a nation but a way of thinking about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. His quotes remind us that wisdom doesn't require complex language or abstract philosophy - often the most profound truths are the simplest ones. Whether advising us to save our pennies, warning against trading liberty for security, or encouraging us to invest in knowledge, Franklin's words continue to guide and inspire.

In our modern world, where we face many of the same challenges Franklin contemplated - balancing freedom with security, pursuing success while maintaining virtue, seeking wisdom in an age of information overload - his quotes serve as timeless touchstones. They remind us that while technology and society may change, fundamental truths about human nature, character, and the good life remain constant.

Benjamin Franklin's legacy lives on not just in his inventions or political achievements, but in these nuggets of wisdom that continue to light our way, much like his famous kite experiment illuminated the nature of electricity. His quotes are more than mere words - they are practical tools for living a better life, achieving success, and contributing to society. In true Franklin fashion, they prove that the best wisdom is not just understood but applied, not just admired but lived.

More Benjamin Franklin Quotes

Check out our quote collections