The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin Quotes
"Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know."
"That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes to say, that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first."
"And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used and gave them success."
"I had made some courtship during this time to Miss Read. I had a great respect and affection for her, and had some reason to believe she had the same for me."
"So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do."
"I was now on a fair footing with them, and soon acquired considerable influence. I proposed some reasonable alterations in their chapel laws, and carried them against all opposition."
"The breaking into this money of Vernon’s was one of the first great errata of my life; and this affair showed that my father was not much out in his judgment when he supposed me too young to manage business of importance."
"But what shall we think of a governor’s playing such pitiful tricks, and imposing so grossly on a poor ignorant boy! It was a habit he had acquired."
"I had brought over a few curiosities, among which the principal was a purse made of the asbestos, which purifies by fire. Sir Hans Sloane heard of it, came to see me, and invited me to his house in Bloomsbury Square."
"Our supper was only half an anchovy each, on a very little strip of bread and butter, and half a pint of ale between us; but the entertainment was in her conversation."
"All your passions become by degrees familiar to you, and have an effect on your temper and your happiness."
"Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn."
"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."
"Energy and persistence conquer all things."
"He that can have patience can have what he will."
"Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle."
"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are."
"Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants."
"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."
"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself."
"The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance."
"The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn't know how to read."
"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions."
"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid."
"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame."
"When you're finished changing, you're finished."
"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy."
"The city watch was one of the first things that I conceived to want regulation."
"On the whole, I proposed as a more effectual watch, the hiring of proper men to serve constantly in that business."
"Associates in this scheme were presently found, amounting to thirty."
"The utility of this institution soon appeared, and many more desiring to be admitted than we thought convenient for one company, they were advised to form another."
"The small fines that have been paid by members for absence at the monthly meetings have been applied to the purchase of fire-engines, ladders, fire-hooks, and other useful implements for each company."
"The sight of their miserable situation inspired the benevolent heart of Mr. Whitefield with the idea of building an Orphan House there, in which they might be supported and educated."
"My business was now continually augmenting, and my circumstances growing daily easier, my newspaper having become very profitable."
"Partnerships often finish in quarrels; but I was happy in this, that mine were all carried on and ended amicably."
"Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day."
"In conversation with him one day, he was giving me some account of his intended progress. 'After taking Fort Duquesne,' says he, 'I am to proceed to Niagara; and, having taken that, to Frontenac, if the season will allow time.'"
"These savages may, indeed, be a formidable enemy to your raw American militia, but upon the king's regular and disciplined troops, sir, it is impossible they should make any impression."
"I have sometimes wondered that the Londoners did not, from the effect holes in the bottom of the globe lamps used at Vauxhall have in keeping them clean, learn to have such holes in their street lamps."
"It was the beginning of January when we set out upon this business of building forts."
"Our first work was to bury more effectually the dead we found there, who had been half interred by the country people."
"When men are employed, they are best contented; for on the days they worked they were good-natured and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good day’s work, they spent the evening jollily."
"It is, perhaps, below the dignity of your profession to act as steward of the rum, but if you were to deal it out and only just after prayers, you would have them all about you."
"This kind of fort, however contemptible, is a sufficient defense against Indians, who have no cannon."
"I had not so good an opinion of my military abilities as he professed to have."
"I forget how many companies we had, but we paraded about twelve hundred well-looking men."
"O, Sir, you must not think of persuading us that you are no gainer; we understand better those affairs, and know that everyone concerned in supplying the army finds means, in the doing it, to fill his own pockets."
"I concluded to let my papers shift for themselves, believing it was better to spend what time I could spare from public business in making new experiments, than in disputing about those already made."
"His lordship’s letters were not ready; and yet whoever waited on him found him always at his desk, pen in hand, and concluded he must needs write abundantly."
"I did not think so, however, and his lordship’s conversation having a little alarmed me as to what might be the sentiments of the court concerning us."
"I was totally mistaken. I did not think so, however, and his lordship’s conversation having a little alarmed me as to what might be the sentiments of the court concerning us."
"The selfishness of the proprietors in soliciting such a general catastrophe, merely from a groundless fear of their estate being taxed too highly, was insisted on in the strongest terms."
"I signed with Mr. Charles, who was also an Agent of the Province for their ordinary affairs, when Lord Mansfield returned to the Council Chamber, where finally the law was allowed to pass."
"After a full enquiry, they unanimously signed a report that they found the tax had been assessed with perfect equity."