Looking for timeless wisdom? Benjamin Franklinβs quotes still shine with truth, wit, and inspiration.
If you’re exploring his thoughts on education, democracy, or life in general, his words offer guidance that transcends centuries.
In this post, weβve handpicked some of his most famous and thought-provoking sayings to spark reflection, motivate change, and add insight to your everyday thinking.
Dive into these carefully selected quotes, grouped for easy reading, and let Franklin’s legendary voice add value to your journey.
10 benjamin franklin quotes

β Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise
π Tell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and I learn
π‘ An investment in knowledge pays the best interest
β³ Lost time is never found again
π¬ Well done is better than well said
π Honesty is the best policy
π¨ He that can have patience can have what he will
π₯ By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail
π Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are
π― Energy and persistence conquer all things
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π A penny saved is a penny earned
ποΈ They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety
π Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn
π£οΈ Speak little do much
βοΈ Where liberty dwells there is my country
πΆ A slip of the foot you may soon recover but a slip of the tongue you may never get over
π₯ Diligence is the mother of good luck
β° You may delay but time will not
π§ Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late
ποΈ Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing
π He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another than he whom you yourself have obliged
π© He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else
π― Don’t throw stones at your neighbors if your own windows are glass
π To succeed jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions
πΈ Beware of little expenses a small leak will sink a great ship
famous benjamin franklin quotes

π½ Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety
π± An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
π§ If passion drives you let reason hold the reins
π΅οΈ Half a truth is often a great lie
π Reading makes a full man meditation a profound man discourse a clear man
π― Without continual growth and progress such words as improvement achievement and success have no meaning
π He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or judge all he sees
π° Money has never made man happy nor will it there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness
π₯ To find out a girl’s faults praise her to her girlfriends
π Education is the investment that pays the best dividend
π§ The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance
πͺ Doors of wisdom are never shut
π Words may show a man’s wit but actions his meaning
π Glass china and reputation are easily cracked and never well mended
βοΈ Industry need not wish and he who lives upon hope will die fasting
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π To succeed jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions
π A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one
π§© There never was a good war or a bad peace
π Beware of the young doctor and the old barber
π He that teaches himself has a fool for a master
π οΈ Work as if you were to live a hundred years pray as if you were to die tomorrow
π₯Ά Guests like fish begin to smell after three days
βοΈ Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed too severe seldom executed
π Creditors have better memories than debtors
π A good example is the best sermon
πͺοΈ Anger is never without a reason but seldom a good one
π£ He that lives upon hope will die fasting
π‘οΈ He that wonβt be counseled canβt be helped
π¨ Donβt squander time for that is the stuff life is made of
πͺ Who is wise He that learns from everyone
benjamin franklin quotes education

π An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest
π Tell me and I forget teach me and I may remember involve me and I learn
π§ Genius without education is like silver in the mine
π If a man empties his purse into his head no one can take it from him
π Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn
πͺ The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance
βοΈ Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom
π Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere
π― Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom
π Read much but not many books
π£οΈ The doors of wisdom are never shut
π Life is a kind of Chess
π οΈ A good education is better than a rich inheritance
π Educate your children to self-control and to the habit of holding passion and prejudice
π Observation more than books experience more than persons are the prime educators
benjamin franklin quotes on democracy
βοΈ When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic
ποΈ Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom
π½ They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety
π’ Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote
π₯ The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness you have to catch it yourself
π The first responsibility of every citizen is to question authority
π 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
π Where liberty dwells there is my country
π Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech
βοΈ Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God
π‘οΈ We are all born ignorant but one must work hard to remain stupid
π―οΈ A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them
π³οΈ In free governments the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns
ποΈ Our new Constitution is now established and has an appearance that promises permanency but in this world nothing can be said to be certain
πͺοΈ The safety of the people is the supreme law
Conclusion
Benjamin Franklinβs quotes remain evergreen, offering lessons on life, liberty, learning, and leadership.
His timeless insights are not just historical gemsβtheyβre tools for modern wisdom, practical living, and self-growth.
Whether you’re seeking personal guidance or motivation to lead with integrity, Franklinβs words still echo with clarity and purpose.
Let his quotes continue to guide your thoughts, choices, and values.