What did Ben Franklin say about excuses?

Asked by: Deja Rice  |  Last update: March 6, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (34 votes)

Benjamin Franklin famously said, "He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else," emphasizing that excuse-making wastes time and prevents achievement, while also advising, "Never ruin an apology with an excuse," highlighting that apologies need sincerity, not blame-shifting. He believed focusing on excuses hinders personal growth and results, promoting mediocrity and a lack of accountability.

What did Benjamin Franklin say about excuses?

Benjamin Franklin's famous quote about excuses is, "He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else" (or sometimes phrased as "He who is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else"). This quote emphasizes that individuals skilled at inventing reasons for failure are generally not good at productive action or success in other areas. 

What is Ben Franklin's most famous quote?

Benjamin Franklin's most famous sayings often center on thrift, industry, and wisdom, with "A penny saved is a penny earned" being widely attributed, though he wrote variations like "A penny saved is two pence clear," emphasizing saving money as earning it. Other popular quotes include "Time is money" and his famous observation, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes". 

What is the quote about excuses?

"if you want something bad enough, you will find a way; if not, you will find an excuse. "

Who said this he that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else?

“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” — Benjamin Franklin. Stella Stella thanks for engaging.

NO EXCUSES - Motivational Quotes by Benjamin Franklin

17 related questions found

What does God say about people who make excuses?

Romans 3:19 in the Amplified Bible says: “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that [the murmurs and excuses of] every mouth may be hushed and all the world may be held accountable to God.”

What was Benjamin Franklin's moral code?

Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. JUSTICE.

What is the root cause of excuses?

Making excuses can almost always be traced back to one of three reasons: fear, uncertainty or lack of purpose.

What is the poem about excuses?

"Excuses Are Tools of Incompetence" Poem. “Excuses are tools of incompetence used to build bridges to nowhere and monuments of nothingness, and those who use them seldom specialize in anything else.” ~ Vernon Brundage Jr.

What is the power of excuses?

An excuse can make it appropriate to forgo blame, to revise judgments of blameworthiness, to feel compassion and pity instead of anger and resentment. The considerations we appeal to when making excuses are a motley bunch: tiredness, stress, a looming work deadline, a wailing infant, poverty, duress, ignorance.

What were Ben Franklin's last words?

Benjamin Franklin's reported last words were, "A dying man can do nothing easily," uttered to his daughter, Sarah, when she suggested he move to a more comfortable position in bed as he was struggling to breathe. He died on April 17, 1790, at the age of 84, with these words reflecting his struggle with his final illness, according to The National Constitution Center.
 

What is the most famous quote ever said in history?

There's no single "most famous" quote, but top contenders include Neil Armstrong's "That's one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind," Shakespeare's "To be, or not to be," and FDR's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," with others like "I have a dream" and "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" also highly recognized across different contexts. 

What did Benjamin Franklin say about doing good?

“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” — Benjamin Franklin.

What was Ben Franklin's most famous quote?

Benjamin Franklin's most famous quote is widely considered to be, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," a witty observation on life's inevitabilities that highlights his pragmatic view on life, including mortality and societal systems. He also famously said, "They who can give up essential Liberty, to purchase little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety," a powerful statement on freedom often cited today. 

Who said "never ruin an apology with an excuse"?

Quote by Benjamin Franklin: “Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”

When you stop making excuses quote?

The day you take complete responsibility for yourself, the day you stop making any excuses, that's the day you start to the top.

Who wrote the poem "Excuses Excuses"?

Gareth Owen was a prize-winning Welsh poet, novelist, and broadcaster born in 1936 who wrote poetry for children. This document discusses his poem "Excuses, excuses" which is written in the form of a dialogue in free verse about a student making excuses for not completing their homework.

What can I say instead of excuses?

Synonyms of excuses

  • justifications.
  • reasons.
  • apologies.
  • alibis.
  • pleas.
  • defenses.
  • pretexts.
  • rationalizations.

What to say to someone who always has excuses?

You can let them know that you've noticed that it has become a pattern, and express concern about their well-being, if it makes sense in the context. You can also ask if there's anything you can do to help them accomplish whatever it is they're making excuses about, to find a solution that works for everyone.

What does the Bible say about making excuses?

Making excuses suggests a lack of faith and a reluctance to step out in obedience. The Bible verse John 14:15 consistently highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands as a demonstration of faith and love. In Deuteronomy 11:1, obedience to God's commands is directly linked to loving Him.

What do excuses lead to?

Excuses can temporarily soothe uncomfortable feelings, but they rarely lead to meaningful change and those around you may eventually feel alienated, frustrated, or resentful.

What's the psychology behind making excuses?

Since we are capable of experiencing shame and guilt, we want to lessen the perceived and potential blame from others or any self-blame we attach to an offense or fault. An excuse shifts causality from a more threatening source that can impact one's self-esteem to a less central one.

What is the Ben Franklin rule?

He was a self-taught man and constantly worked to improve himself. Franklin planned and managed his time and activities in a disciplined way. A tool he developed for himself was the five-hour rule. The rule dictates that five hours each week must be spent learning – one hour each day, excepting weekends.

What was Benjamin Franklin's IQ?

While Benjamin Franklin never took an IQ test, historians and psychologists estimate his IQ to be around 160, placing him in the "genius" or "extraordinary genius" category, based on his vast achievements as a statesman, inventor, writer, and diplomat, though some estimates vary slightly. This estimation is derived from studies like Catharine Morris Cox's, which analyzed historical figures' works and contributions.
 

What are the 12 principles of Ben Franklin?

Then he considered various virtues that, if mastered, would counteract his unwanted behavior. His list of 13: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity and Humility.