Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and governments.
The noblest question in the world is: ‘What good may I do in it?’
Virtue and Happiness are Mother and Daughter.
Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
Creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times.
The rotten apple spoils his companion.
A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and leave contently.
To bear other people’s afflictions, everyone has courage and enough to spare.
Outside Independence Hall when the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended, Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading good History, must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of the Beauty and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit, Fortitude.
When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call for help of the civil power, ’tis a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.
If Men are so wicked as we now see them with Religion what would they be if without it?
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
No employment can be managed without arithmetic, no mechanical invention without geometry.
Promises may fit the friends, but non performance will turn them into enemies.
Moderation in all things – including moderation.
Beer is proof that God loves us.
Life is a kind of Chess, with struggle, competition, good and ill events.
Chess is so interesting in itself, as not to need the view of gain to induce engaging in it; and thence it is never played for money.