“Observe all men, thyself most.”
Author
Benjamin Franklin
1706–1790112 quotes
was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, forger and political philosopher. Among the leading intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a drafter and signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, and the first United States Postmaster General.
More from Benjamin Franklin
“Even peace may be purchased at too high a price.”
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”
“The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands.”
“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.”
A 1779 letter to his friend Andre Morellet
“Never let your schooling interfere with your education.”
“Time is money.”
“There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government.”
“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.”
“Beauty and folly are old companions.”
“Honesty is the best policy.”
“Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into execution new projects. The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forced by the occasion.”
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
“I look upon death to be as necessary to our constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.”
“Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”
“In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.”
“He that raises a large family does, indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand a broader mark for sorrow but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too.”
“A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.”
“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.”
“Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.”
“God works wonders now and then Behold a lawyer, an honest man.”
“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”
“Do good to your friends to keep them, to your enemies to win them.”