Benjamin Franklin on Money
1706–1790 United States
← All quotes by Benjamin Franklin
9 quotes
If your Riches are yours, why don't you take them with you to t'other world?
Poor Richard (1751)
He that would have a short Lent, let him borrow money to be repaid at Easter.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1783)
If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
If you'd lose a troublesome visitor, lend him money.
The use of money is all the advantage there is in having money.
Necessary Hints to Those that would be Rich (1736)
From a Child I was fond of Reading, and all the little Money that came into my Hands was ever laid out in Books.
The Autobiography (1818)
When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
Misattributed
In the Colonies, we issue our own paper money. It is called 'Colonial Scrip.' We issue it in proper proportion to make the goods and pass easily from the producers to the consumers. In this manner, creating ourselves our own paper money, we control its purchasing power and we have no interest to pay to no one. In this manner, by creating ourselves our own paper money, we control its purchasing power, and we have no interest to pay, to anyone. You see, a legitimate government can both spend and lend money into circulation, while banks can only lend significant amounts of their promissory bank notes, for they can neither give away nor spend but a tiny fraction of the money the people need. Thus, when your bankers here in England place money in circulation, there is always a debt principal to be returned and usury to be paid. The result is that you have always too little credit in circulation to give the workers full employment. You do not have too many workers, you have too little money in circulation, and that which circulates, all bears the endless burden of unpayable debt and usury.
Misattributed