178 quotes
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes!
Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins.
Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly: Men freely ford that see the shallows.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1733)
Creditors have better memories than debtors; and creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1758)
If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.
Apology for Printers (1730)
But in this world nothing is sure but death and taxes.
letter to M. Leroy (1789)
Dost thou love life? then do not squander time; for that is the stuff life is made of.
Each year one vicious habit rooted out, In time might make the worst Man good throughout.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1738)
The first Degree of Folly, is to conceit one’s self wise; the second to profess it; the third to despise Counsel.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1744)
Ambition has its disappointments to sour us, but never the good fortune to satisfy us.
'Thou canst not joke an Enemy into a Friend; but thou may'st a Friend into an Enemy.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1739)
Life is rather a state of embryo, a preparation for life; a man is not completely born till he has passed through death.
There are three faithful friends,
an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1734)
If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1733)
Distrust & caution are the parents of security.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1733)
He has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.
The Autobiography (1818)
Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.
That it is better 100 guilty Persons should escape than that one innocent Person should suffer, is a maxim that has been long and generally approved; never, that I know of, controverted.