Tag Archives: Benjamin Franklin

First Principles: Nothing Is of More Importance For the Public Weal, Than To Form and Train Up Youth In Wisdom and Virtue

“(N)othing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue…. I think also, general virtue is more probably to be expected and obtained from the education of youth, than from … Continue reading

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First Principles: Without Freedom of Thought There Can Be No Such Thing As Wisdom; and No Such Thing As Public Liberty, Without Freedom of Speech

“Without Freedom of Thought there can be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as Public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech; which is the Right of every Man, as far as by it, he does not hurt or … Continue reading

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First Principles: Be At War With Your Vices, At Peace With Your Neighbors, and Let Every New Year Find You A Better Man

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.“ – Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac (1775)

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First Principles: Wish Not So Much To Live Long As To Live Well

“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.” – Benjamin Franklin (1746)

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First Principles: Wish Not So Much To Live Long As To Live Well

“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.” – Benjamin Franklin (1746)

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First Principles: The Freedom of Speech Is A Principled Pillar In A Free Government: When This Support Is Taken Away the Constitution Is Dissolved, and Tyranny Is Erected On Its Ruins

“The freedom of speech is a principal Pillar in a free Government: when this support is taken away the Constitution is dissolved, and Tyranny is erected on its Ruins.” – Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania Gazette (November 17, 1737)

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First Principles: Three Can Keep A Secret, If Two of Them Are Dead

“Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” – Benjamin Franklin

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First Principles: Be In General Virtuous, and You Will Be Happy

“Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy.” – Benjamin Franklin (1768)

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First Principles: When Men Are Employ’d They Are Best Contented

“When Men are employ’d they are best contented. For on the Days they work’d they were good-natur’d and chearful; and with the consciousness of having done a good Days work they spent the Evenings jollily; but on the idle Days … Continue reading

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First Principles: It Is Very Imprudent To Deprive America of Any of Her Privileges

“It is very imprudent to deprive America of any of her privileges. If her commerce and friendship are of any importance to you, they are to be had on no other terms than leaving her in the full enjoyment of … Continue reading

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