- Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
- Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
- Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
- Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
- Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
- Industry. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
- Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
- Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
- Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
- Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
- Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
- Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
- Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Benjamin Franklin on Faults
Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Vice
Virtue may not always make a face handsome, but vice will certainly make it ugly.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Rumination
The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Words
There’s small revenge in words, but words may be greatly revenged.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Fools
There are no fools so troublesome as those that have wit.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Virtue
The excellency of hogs is fatness, of men virtue.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Words
Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Virtue
Retirement does not always secure virtue; Lot was upright in the city, wicked in the mountain.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Revenge
Neglect kills injuries, revenge increases them.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Marriage
Marry above thy match, and thou’lt get a master.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Perseverance
Little strokes fell great oaks.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Fiscal Prudence
Light gains, heavy purses.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin On vices
Let thy vices die before thee.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Temptation
Keep thou from the opportunity, and God will keep thee from the sin.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Revenge
If you would be reveng’d of your enemy, govern yourself.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Contentment
He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly, need not be rich.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Marriage
He that goes far to marry, will either deceive or be deceived.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Tolerance
He is not well bred, that cannot bear ill-breeding in others.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Silence
Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Truth
Half the truth is often a great lie.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Wealth
Great estates may venture more; little boats must keep near shore.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Work
God gives all things to industry.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Reputation
Glass, china, and reputation are easily crack’d, and never well mended.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Integrity
Fear to do ill, and you need fear nought else.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Truth
Don’t misinform your doctor nor your lawyer.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Caution
Distrust and caution are the parents of security.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Diligence
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Hope
Cut the wings of your hens and hopes, lest they lead you a weary dance after them.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Contentment
Content and riches seldom meet together. Riches take thou, contentment I had rather.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Enmity
Beware of meat twice boil’d, and an old foe reconcil’d.
~ Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin on Perseverance
By diligence and patience, the mouse bit in two the cable.
~ Benjamin Franklin