Benjamin Franklin

Rather go to bed supperless, than rise in debt.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.

Those have a short Lent, who owe money to be paid at Easter.

Tis against some mens principle to pay interest, and seems against others interest to pay the principle.

Lying rides upon debt’s back.

If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the highest return.

What is the purpose of life? I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy.

We’re so afraid of each other… Colour, wealth, these things that don’t really matter still play too much of a role in how we see one another. And it’s sad, because the thing that least defines us is the colour of our skin.

There are two types of speakers, those that are nervous and those that are liars.

I attribute whatever I may have been able to accomplish in life far more to my wife than to anything else and to everything else put together. But I cannot flatter myself that I found her because I was a ‘good picker’, I believe profoundly that we are guided, led, in such momentous matters.

I hope that while so many people are out smelling the flowers, someone is taking the time to plant some.

Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.

I Shall Return!

If you’re interested in ‘balancing’ work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.

We want to reproduce all those instruments which were prepared and used in America once upon a time.

In the dime stores and bus stations, people talk of situations, read books, repeat quotations, draw conclusions on the wall.

When you allow a person’s words to upset you, you’re giving away your power.

By a museum, I assume you mean an institution dedicated to the events of Sept. 11 and the aftermath. If that is done with sensitivity, I think it would be most appropriate.

When you want nothing from anyone else, you’re safe for anyone to be with. Including yourself.

This is the only reason Greenfield Village exists-to give us a sense of unity with our people through the generations, and to convey the inspiration of American genius to our young men. As a nation we have not depended so much on rare or occasional genius as on the general resourcefulness of our people. That is our true genius, and I am hoping that Greenfield Village will serve that.

Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behavior.