Introduction
Benjamin Franklin wasn’t just one of America’s Founding Fathers — he was a walking encyclopedia of practical wisdom. A scientist, inventor, diplomat, and master of self-improvement, Franklin had a sharp wit and a sharper eye for life’s truths. His aphorisms have outlived centuries, not because they’re catchy, but because they’re true. Whether you’re navigating ambition, relationships, time, or human folly, Franklin likely said something that hits home.
In this post, we’ve collected 60+ of his most profound, provocative, and punchy quotes — each a mirror held up to modern life. Let them challenge you, comfort you, or simply make you smile.
60+ Quotes by Benjamin Franklin to Live By
“If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him.”
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”
“Work as if you were to live a thousand years; play as if you were to die tomorrow.”
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
“Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.”
“Those things that hurt, instruct.”
“Many people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they are 75.”
“Life’s biggest tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.”
“When you are finished changing, you’re finished.”
“We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”
“Contentment makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.”
“Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it is.”
“Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.”
“The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.”
“A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.”
“You may delay, but time will not.”
“Time is money.”
“Never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today.”
“To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.”
“Lost time is never found again.”
“If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.”
“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.”
“Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.”
“A penny saved is a penny earned.”
“You will find the key to success under the alarm clock.”
“Never confuse motion with action.”
“Early to bed and early to rise in old age makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
“Hard work doesn’t always pay off. Learn to stop in time and understand whether you have turned into a slave.”
“Buy what you do not need, and ere long you shall sell your necessities.”
“Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults.”
“There are three faithful friends: an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.”
“He that lies down with dogs shall rise with fleas.”
“He that displays too often his wife and his wallet is in danger of having both of them borrowed.”
“Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.”
“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.”
“Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none.”
“If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.”
“Speak ill of no man, but speak all the good you know of everybody.”
“To find out a girl’s faults, praise her to her girlfriends.”
“Do not trust your money to a person who likes to count other people’s money.”
“Where there is marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.”
“Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.”
“The woman who wants the most sex is the one who often yearns for a deeper sense of intimacy, yet may struggle to find it through physical means alone.”
“It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.”
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
“Security without liberty is called prison.”
“If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.”
“There was never a bad peace or a good war.”
“We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
“He that can have patience can have what he will.”
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
“Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.”
“Fear not death, for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal.”
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
“A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.”
“Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.”
“When you’re testing to see how deep water is, never use two feet.”
“I didn’t fail the test; I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.”
“Well done is better than well said.”
“Haste makes waste.”
“Fatigue is the best pillow.”
“Wine is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
“Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt.”
“At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, and at 40 the judgment.”
“Life will only come around once, so do whatever makes you happy.”
“You can’t do big things if you are distracted by small things.”
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Conclusion
What makes Franklin’s wisdom endure is its brutal honesty — delivered with a dose of charm. These aren’t just quotes to post on a wall; they’re tools to sharpen your mind and challenge your habits. Whether you’re chasing success, navigating love, or confronting your flaws, there’s likely a Benjamin Franklin quote to light the way.
Which one spoke to you most today? Let us know in the comments. And if you found value in this post, share it — because good wisdom, like good wine, should never go to waste.
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