Ben Franklin - quotations

He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner.

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.

There is a difference between imitating a good man and counterfeiting him.

Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life.

If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

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 filling a vacuum, it makes one.

To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!

Fear not death, for the sooner we die the longer we shall be immortal.

A man is not completely born until he is dead.

A penny saved is a penny earned

I will speak ill of no man, and speak all the good I know of everybody.

Joy is not in things! It is in us!

They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.

Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.

God heals and the Doctor takes the fee.

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?

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

Remember that time is money.

Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes