Benjamin Franklin on change

When you are finished changing, you are finished.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1912-1914

Ben Franklin on poverty

I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.

~ Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1912-1914

Benjamin Franklin on the Constitution

I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well-administred; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administred for a Course of Years and can only end in Despotism as other Forms have done before it, when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1870-1871

Benjamin Franklin on dissent

It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1869

Benjamin Franklin on liberty and speech

Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech, a thing terrible to traitors.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1918

Benjamin Franklin on the importance of ideas

Little minds think and talk about people.
Average minds think and talk about things and actions.
Great minds think and talk about ideas.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1912-1914

Benjamin Franklin on how to behave

The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all others, charity.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1912-1914

Benjamin Franklin on the difference between war and revolution

War is when the government tells you who the bad guy is. Revolution is when you decide that for yourself.

~ Benjamin Franklin

(This quote may be misattributed.  According to Phil Duffy, "'bad guy' doesn't sound like 18th century language.")

Benjamin Franklin
1912-1914

Ben Franklin on thrift

Your net worth is determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good habits.

~ Ben Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1902-1903

Benjamin Franklin on learning from adversity

Those things that hurt, instruct.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1922-1925

Benjamin Franklin on humility

To be humble to superiors is a duty; to equals, courtesy; to inferiors, nobleness.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1916-1917

Benjamin Franklin on virtue and freedom

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1847

Franklin on war and peace

There never was a good war or a bad peace.

~ Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Josiah Quincy (September 11, 1773)

Benjamin Franklin
1873

Franklin on liberty vs. security

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1954-1968

Franklin on the costs of war

Wars are not paid for in wartime, the bills come later.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin
1873

Ben Franklin on education and freedom

This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God had given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins.

~ Benjamin Franklin

Credo - Franklin
1960-1961