 Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Benjamin Franklin
Erik
Contrary habits must be broken and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct.
Benjamin Franklin
I observed on one of the drums belonging to the marines being raised that there was painted a rattlesnake with this modest motto under it "don’t tread on me". It occurred to me that the rattlesnake, being found in no other quarter of the world besides America, might therefore be chosen to represent her. Having frequently seen the rattlesnake I ran over in my mind every property by which she was distinguished. I recollect that her eye excelled in brightness that of any other animal, and that she has no eye lids, she may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, nor when once engaged never surrenders, she is therefore en emblem of magnanimity and true courage. As if anxious to prevent all pretentions of quarreling with her the weapons with which nature has furnished her she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that to those unacquainted with her she appears to be a most defenseless animal and even when they are shown and extended for her defense they appear weak and contemptible, but their wounds however small are decisive and fatal. Conscious of this she never wounds until she has generously given notice even to her enemy and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her. I counted the rattles ... and found them just 13, exact the number of colonies united in America, and I recollected too, that this was the only part of the snake that increases in numbers. ... Tis curious and amazing to observe how distinct and independent of each other the rattles of this animal are and yet how firmly they are united together so as to never be separated but by breaking them to pieces. One of those rattles singly is incapable of producing sound, but the ringing of thirteen together is sufficient to alarm the boldest man living. The rattlesnake is solitary and associates with her kind only when it is necessary for their preservation. In winter the warmth of a number together will preserve their lives, while singly they would probably perish. The power of fascination attributed to her by her a generous construction may be understood to mean that those who consider the liberty and blessing which America affords and once come over to her never afterwards leave her, but spend their lives with her. She strongly resembles America in this, that she is beautiful in youth and her beauty increaseth with her age, her tongue is blue and forked as the lightning, and her abode is among impenetrable rocks.
Benjamin Franklin
The Completed Autobiography
Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
Benjamin Franklin
Investor Words Quote of the Day -- http://www.investorwords.com
Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1748
To err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1742
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!
Benjamin Franklin
Industry need not wish.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1739
If passion drives, let reason hold the reins.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1749
Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1738
Innocence is its own defense.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1733
Fools multiply folly.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac
Experience holds a dear school, but a fool will learn in no other.
Benjamin Franklin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
When reason preaches, if you won't hear her she'll box your ears.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1753
Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1746
Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1738
If you wou'd not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1738
Where carcasses are, eagles will gather, and where good laws are, much people flock thither.
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanac, 1734
This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins.
Benjamin Franklin
http://www.geocities.com/rationalargumentator/Ben_Franklin.html
Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.
Benjamin Franklin
http://www.geocities.com/rationalargumentator/Ben_Franklin.html
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Benjamin Franklin
http://www.geocities.com/rationalargumentator/Ben_Franklin.html
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.
Benjamin Franklin
http://www.geocities.com/rationalargumentator/Ben_Franklin.html
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
Benjamin Franklin
http://www.geocities.com/rationalargumentator/Ben_Franklin.html
...a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles ...is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and keep a government free.
Benjamin Franklin
http://www.geocities.com/rationalargumentator/Ben_Franklin.html
Where liberty dwells, there is my country.
Benjamin Franklin
http://www.geocities.com/rationalargumentator/Ben_Franklin.html
No nation was ever ruined by trade.
Benjamin Franklin
Essays
Those who trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
|
