50 Best Benjamin Franklin Quotes from Poor Richard's Almanack
The most memorable proverbs from Franklin's legendary almanac (1732-1758). Wisdom on time, money, character, and success that's still relevant today.
For 26 years, Benjamin Franklin published an annual almanac filled with weather forecasts, astronomical data, recipes, poems—and the sharp, witty proverbs that made him America's first self-help guru.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1732-1758) was a bestseller in colonial America, reaching 10,000 copies annually. But its true legacy isn't the weather predictions—it's the wisdom. Sayings like "A penny saved is a penny earned" and "Early to bed and early to rise" still echo in our culture nearly 300 years later.
Below are 50 of the best quotes from Poor Richard's Almanack, organized by theme—with context on what they meant to Franklin and how they apply today.
Key Takeaways
- Poor Richard's Almanack was published by Franklin from 1732-1758
- Franklin wrote under the pseudonym "Richard Saunders"
- The almanac sold 10,000+ copies annually—a colonial bestseller
- Many quotes are still used today, often without attribution to Franklin
- Franklin compiled his best wisdom in "The Way to Wealth" (1758)
About Poor Richard's Almanack
Franklin began the almanac in 1732 when he was just 26 years old. Writing as "Richard Saunders," a fictional poor astrologer, Franklin created a persona that could deliver pointed wisdom with humor and humility.
"I might in this place attempt to gain thy favour by declaring that I write almanacks with no other view than that of the public good; but in this I should not be sincere... The plain truth of the matter is, I am excessive poor."
This self-deprecating wit made the medicine go down easier. Franklin could criticize idleness, pride, and foolishness—because Poor Richard was just as flawed as his readers.
Quotes on Time & Productivity
No theme appears more frequently in the almanac than time. Franklin saw time as life's most precious—and most wasted—resource.
"Lost time is never found again."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1748
"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1746
"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1735
"You may delay, but time will not."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
"Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1742
"The used key is always bright."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1744
"Little strokes fell great oaks."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750
"Plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1756
"He that riseth late must trot all day."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1742
"One today is worth two tomorrows."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
Quotes on Money & Wealth
Franklin's advice on money remains remarkably relevant. His core message: wealth comes from earning more, spending less, and avoiding debt.
"A penny saved is a penny earned."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, Various
"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1745
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1748
"Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
"Creditors have better memories than debtors."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
"If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
"The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1748
"Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessities."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
"A fool and his money are soon parted."
"Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
Practice Franklin's System Today
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Quotes on Character & Virtue
Franklin's 13 virtues find their echo throughout the almanac. These quotes emphasize integrity, honesty, and self-improvement.
"Well done is better than well said."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737
"Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked and never well mended."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750
"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1753
"Half a truth is often a great lie."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
"Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1755
"Honesty is the best policy."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1753
"Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
"'Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1745
"There are no gains without pains."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1745
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
Quotes on Wisdom & Learning
Franklin was largely self-educated, having left school at age 10. He valued learning above almost everything—and believed wisdom came from experience, not just books.
"Genius without education is like silver in the mine."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750
"Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1755
"The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is a knowledge of our own ignorance."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1753
"Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1743
"If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750
"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."
"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?"
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750
"The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearned, but it is still nonsense."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1754
Quotes on Relationships & Society
Franklin was a keen observer of human nature. These quotes reveal his understanding of friendship, marriage, trust, and social dynamics.
"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1735
"A true friend is the best possession."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1744
"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1756
"A brother may not be a friend, but a friend will always be a brother."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1752
"He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1733
"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738
"Fish and visitors stink after three days."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
"A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1747
Quotes on Success & Work
Franklin's rise from runaway apprentice to Founding Father embodied his philosophy of industry and persistence. These quotes capture his work ethic.
"Diligence is the mother of good luck."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
"God helps them that help themselves."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1748
"Energy and persistence conquer all things."
"The cat in gloves catches no mice."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1754
"Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1742
"Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758
"At the working man's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter."
— Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737
Using Franklin's Wisdom Today
Franklin's proverbs aren't museum pieces—they're tools for living. Here's how to apply them:
Start Each Day with Purpose
Adopt Franklin's morning question: "What good shall I do this day?" Let his wisdom frame your intentions.
Use Quotes as Reminders
Visit our quote generator for daily Franklin wisdom. Share them, journal about them, or use them as phone backgrounds.
Track Your Virtues
Franklin didn't just write about virtue—he tracked it daily. Use the same method with our Ben Franklin Virtues app to turn wisdom into habit.
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