1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. 6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you...

— Benjamin Franklin

... a book indeed sometimes debauched me from my work....

— Benjamin Franklin

A cheerful face is nearly as good for an invalid as healthy weather.

— Benjamin Franklin

A child thinks twenty shillings and twenty years can scarce ever be spent.

— Benjamin Franklin

After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser.

— Benjamin Franklin

After three days men grow weary, of a wench, a guest, and weather rainy.

— Benjamin Franklin

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

— Benjamin Franklin

A great empire, like a great cake, is most easily diminished at the edges.

— Benjamin Franklin

A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.

— Benjamin Franklin

A little neglect may breed great mischief. ... For want of a nail the shoe was lost for want of a shoe the horse was lost for want of a horse the battle was lost for want of the battle the war was lost.

— Benjamin Franklin