Benjamin Franklin

Electricity experiments, founding father

Early Modern influential 213 sayings

Sayings by Benjamin Franklin

The only way to keep a secret between two is to kill one of them.

1777 — Letter to John Alleyne
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.

1739 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

1735 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

If you would be revenged of your enemy, govern yourself.

1736 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He that has a Trade, has an Office of Profit and Pleasure.

1749 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.

1738 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Necessity never made a good bargain.

1735 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

There are three faithful friends: an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.

1738 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

1732 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults.

1756 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Where there's marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.

1746 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

1743 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Honest men marry soon, wise men never.

1733 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He that is rich, has many friends.

1734 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser.

1750 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A full belly makes a dull brain.

1733 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.

1741 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge a obligation.

1738 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Lying rides upon Debt's back.

1750 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The eye of the master will do more work than both his hands.

1743 — Poor Richard's Almanack
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable