Benjamin Franklin Quotes

The rotten Apple spoils his Companion.

How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ’tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.

He that cannot obey, cannot command.

He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.

The cat in gloves catches no mice.

Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.

Many a one, for the sake of finery on the back, has gone with a hungry belly, and half-starved their families. “Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets, put out the kitchen fire.”

Nowadays we have scarcely a little parson that does not think it the duty of every man within his reach to sit under his petty ministration, and that whoever omits this offends God. To such I wish more humility.

The good missionary, disgusted with this idle tale, said, “What I delivered to you were sacred truths; but what you tell me is mere fable, fiction, and falsehood.” The Indian, offended, replied, “My brother, it seems your friends have not done you justice in your education; they have not well instructed you in the rules […]

Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none.