Benjamin Franklin’s classic “The Way to Wealth” and “Poor Richard’s Almanack” contain many fantastic quotes, and I have put together a list of the best fifty from both:

- A man without ceremony has need of great merit in its place.
- Ambition often spends foolishly what avarice had wickedly collected.
- An ill wound, but not an ill name, may be healed.
- An old man in a house is a good sign.
- An old young man will be a young old man.
- As pride increases, fortune declines.
- As we must account for every idle word, so we must for every idle silence.
- Bargaining has neither friends nor relations.
- Be always ashamed to catch thyself idle.
- Beware, beware! He’ll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.
- Buy what thou hast no need of; and e’er long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.
- Courage would fight, but discretion won’t let him.
- Creditors have better memories than debtors.
- Different religious sects like different clocks, may be all near the matter, though they don’t quite agree.
- Diligence overcomes difficulties, sloth makes them.
- Distrust and caution are the parents of security.
- Don’t go to the doctor with every distemper.
- Don’t judge of men’s wealth or piety, by their Sunday appearances.
- Do not squander time; for that is what life is made of.
- Eat few suppers, and you’ll need few medicines.
- Genius without education is like silver in the mine.
- Glass and reputation are easily crack’d, and never well-mended.
- God, parents, and instructors, can never be requited.
- Have you somewhat to do tomorrow; do it today.
- He is a governor that governs his passions, a servant that serves them.
- He makes a foe, who makes a jest.
- He that best understands the world, least likes it.
- He that falls in love with himself, will have no rivals.
- He that goes far to marry, will either deceive or be deceived.
- He that hath a trade, hath an estate.
- He that rises late, must trot all day, and will not overtake others by night.
- He that sows thorns, should never go barefoot.
- He that would have a short Lent, let him borrow money to be repaid at Easter.
- Idleness is the Dead Sea, that swallows all virtues.
- If thou injurest conscience, it will have its revenge on thee.
- If you would be loved, love and be lovable.
- It is better to take many injuries, than to give one.
- It’s common for men to give pretend reasons instead of a real one.
- Keep thou from the opportunity, and God will keep thee from the sin.
- Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.
- Lend money to an enemy, and you’ll gain him, to a friend and you’ll lose him.
- Let thy discontents be thy secrets; if the world knows them it will despise thee and increase them.
- Let thy vices die before thee.
- Little strokes fell great oaks.
- Love, cough, and a smoke, can’t well be hid.
- Many complain of their memory, few of their judgment.
- Marry above thy match, and thou’lt get a master.
- Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.
- Sloth (like rust) consumes faster than labor wears. The used key is bright.
- Sudden power is apt to be insolent; that behaves best which has grown gradually.