Portrait of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

Electricity experiments, founding father

Early Modern influential 213 sayings

Sayings by Benjamin Franklin

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

— Attributed, but exact source unclear
Wisdom Unverifiable

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.

1738 — From a letter
Art & Creativity Confirmed

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

1757 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Confirmed

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.

1758 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Educational Confirmed

Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.

1758 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Confirmed

Energy and persistence conquer all things.

1758 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
War & Conflict Unverifiable

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

1736 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Confirmed

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

1733 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Unverifiable

He that composes himself is wiser than he that composes books.

1734 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Unverifiable

A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.

1754 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Educational Unverifiable

The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.

1747 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Art & Creativity Confirmed

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

1758 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

When the well's dry, we know the worth of water.

1746 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Nature & World Confirmed

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

1750 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Confirmed

Creditors have better memories than debtors.

1758 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Unverifiable

The doors of wisdom are never shut.

1758 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Unverifiable

He that can have patience can have what he will.

1746 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Confirmed

Lost time is never found again.

1748 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Confirmed

Diligence is the mother of good luck.

1736 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Confirmed

He that speaks much is much mistaken.

1734 — From 'Poor Richard's Almanack'
Wisdom Unverifiable
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