Benjamin Franklin: Quotes & Facts

This book is an anthology of quotes from Benjamin Franklin and selected facts about Benjamin Franklin. “There never was a good knife made of bad steel.” “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” “Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” “A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned” “I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.” “Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five.” “If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.” “The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.” “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” “Work as if you were to live a thousand years, play as if you were to die tomorrow.” Benjamin Franklin was born on Milk Street, in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706. Benjamin Franklin was one of seventeen children born to Josiah Franklin, and one of ten born by Josiah's second wife, Abiah Folger. Although his parents talked of the church as a career for Franklin, his schooling ended when he was ten. Franklin was an advocate of free speech from an early age. Even after Franklin had achieved fame as a scientist and statesman, he habitually signed his letters with the unpretentious 'B. Franklin, Printer.' Franklin invented the first newspaper chain. In 1734, indicating Franklin edited and published the first Masonic book in the Americas. In 1730, at the age of 24, Franklin publicly acknowledged the existence of William, his son, who was deemed 'illegitimate'. Franklin frequently wrote under pseudonyms. Among Franklin's many creations were the lightning rod, glass armonica (a glass instrument, not to be confused with the metal harmonica), Franklin stove, bifocal glasses and the flexible urinary catheter. Franklin never patented his inventions. Franklin was an avid chess player. Franklin is the only Founding Father who is a signatory of all four of the major documents of the founding of the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris and the United States Constitution.