Benjamin Franklin

If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be without it?

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.

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

The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?

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.

A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.

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

The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason.

He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself.

The eyes of other people are the eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither fine clothes, fine houses, nor fine furniture.

A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.

All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones.

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.

Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.

If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.

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

Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.

Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it.