When the well is dry, they know the worth of water.
— Benjamin Franklin
A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.
I have no private interest in the reception of my inventions by the world, having never made, nor proposed to make, the least profit by any of them.
Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades. I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service of the Church.
He that sows thorns should never go barefoot.
Blessed is he that expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: 'This is my country.'
In my youth, I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.
There are two ways of being happy: We must either diminish our wants or augment our means - either may do - the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.
He that displays too often his wife and his wallet is in danger of having both of them borrowed.
Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.
Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do.
Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor.
He that speaks much, is much mistaken.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones.
As we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously.
A penny saved is two pence clear.
I have never entered into any controversy in defense of my philosophical opinions; I leave them to take their chance in the world. If they are right, truth and experience will support them; if wrong, they ought to be refuted and rejected. Disputes are apt to sour one's temper and disturb one's quiet.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for every thing one has a mind to do.
There cannot be a stronger natural right than that of a man's making the best profit he can of the natural produce of his lands.
Don't throw stones at your neighbors if your own windows are glass.
An egg today is better than a hen to-morrow.
Those have a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter.
I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion about the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.
Those disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory, sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.
Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?
Do good to your friends to keep them, to your enemies to win them.
I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.
Fatigue is the best pillow.
To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.
When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration?
Never take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in.
For my own part, I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly.
He that has not got a wife is not yet a complete man.
In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride.
From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. Pleased with the 'Pilgrim's Progress,' my first collection was of John Bunyan's works in separate little volumes.
Where there is a free government, and the people make their own laws by their representatives, I see no injustice in their obliging one another to take their own paper money.
Danger is sauce for prayers.
A child thinks 20 shillings and 20 years can scarce ever be spent.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
No nation was ever ruined by trade.
How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.
To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.
Speak ill of no man, but speak all the good you know of everybody.
Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.
God helps those who help themselves.
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
Wars are not paid for in wartime, the bill comes later.
