Benjamin Franklin's Timeline: Life, Photos, and Key Events

"Without Freedom of Thought there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as Public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech."

"I pronounce it as certain that there was never yet a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous."

"That wise Men have in all Ages thought Government necessary for the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments have always thought Religion necessary for the well ordering and well-being of Society, and accordingly have been ever careful to encourage and protect the Ministers of it, paying them the highest publick Honours, that their Doctrines might thereby meet with the greater Respect among the common People."

"The happy State of Matrimony is, undoubtedly, the surest and most lasting Foundation of Comfort and Love; the Source of all that endearing Tenderness and Affection which arises from Relation and Affinity; the grand Point of Property; the Cause of all good Order in the World, and what alone preserves it from the utmost Confusion; and, to sum up all, the Appointment of infinite Wisdom for these great and good Purposes."

"A fine genius in his own country is like gold in the mine."

"This kind of Industry seems to me a great Virtue. He that is afraid to leave a warm Bed, and to walk in the Dark, and to dawb or tear his Clothes or his Skin; He that makes no Difference between Virtue and Vice, and takes no Pleasure in Hospitality; and He that cares not who suffers, if he himself gains by it, or suffers not; will not any one of them be industriously concernd (if their own Dwellings are out of Danger) in preserving from devouring Flames either private or publick Buildings."

"And as to the Cares, they are chiefly what attend the bringing up of Children; and I would ask any Man who has experienced it, if they are not the most delightful Cares in the World; and if from that Particular alone, he does not find the Bliss of a double State much greater, instead of being less than he expected."

"Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason."

"A penny saved is twopence clear."

"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards."

"A Man may, if he know not how to save, keep his Nose to the Grindstone, and die not wirth a Groat at last."

"Have you something to do tomorrow; do it to-day."

"How many observe Christs birth-day! How few, his precepts! O! tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments."

"Wish not so much to live long as to live well."

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for thats the stuff life is made of."

"Strive to be the greatest man in your country, and you may be disappointed. Strive to be the best and you may succeed: he may well win the race that runs by himself."

"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

"Remember, that Time is Money."