Quintessential Quotes – Words of Wisdom from a Founding Father

Benjamin Franklin said, “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write something worth reading or do things worth the writing.”  He did both, and is very much remembered more than 200 years later for his incredible words and life.

A Founding Father of the United States, an inventor, printer, author, the 1st US Postmaster, diplomat and scientist.  He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, and signed both the Declaration and the Constitution.

Franklin is known for his witty proverbs and aphorisms which he shared in his yearly digest, Poor Richard’s Almanac.  Below are some of his wonderful, witty words.

“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”

“Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75.”

“Well done is better than well said.”

“Remember not only to say the right think in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” 

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, and most fools do.”

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

“There are two ways of being happy:  We must either diminish our wants or augment our means – either may do – the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.” 

“Write injuries in dust, benefits in marble.”

“He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else.”

“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”