Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the most influential intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States; a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence; and the first postmaster general.

Quotes

He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.
Sir, 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 administered; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered 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.
We must hang together, gentlemen...else, we shall most assuredly hang separately.
An investment in knowledge still yields the best returns.
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Critics are our friends, they tell us our faults.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.
A democracy is two wolves and a small lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Freedom under a constitutional republic is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
He is a fool that cannot conceal his wisdom.
All would live long, but none would be old.
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Knowledge
At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Sleep, Wealth
Energy and persistence conquer all things.

Energy, Persistence
We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall hang separately.
All cats are gray in the dark.
We'll either hang together or we'll hang separately.
When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. Sell not liberty to purchase power.
Dost thou love life? Than do not squander time, for it is the stuff life is made of.
The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.

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