What was Benjamin Franklin's famous quote?

Asked by: Stewart Jacobson  |  Last update: January 29, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (50 votes)

Benjamin Franklin has many famous quotes, but perhaps the most well-known is from his letter about the Constitution: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes". Other famous ones include "We must, indeed, all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately" (related to the Declaration of Independence) and practical advice like "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail".

What are Ben Franklin's most famous quotes?

  • “Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.” ...
  • “He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.” ...
  • “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” ...
  • “He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.” ...
  • “Better slip with foot than tongue.” ...
  • “Look before, or you'll find yourself behind.”

What is Franklin's famous line?

Benjamin Franklin has many famous lines, but some of the most well-known include "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes", often cited for its wit on inevitability, and practical advice from Poor Richard's Almanack, like "Time is money" and "Well done is better than well said". He also famously said, "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety", showing his views on freedom, according to NPR. 

What is the most famous quote ever said?

There's no single "most famous" quote, but top contenders include iconic lines like Neil Armstrong's "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind", Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage," and famous advice like "If you can dream it, you can do it" (Walt Disney) or "The unexamined life is not worth living" (Socrates), often cited for their profound impact and widespread recognition. 

What were Benjamin Franklin's last words before he died?

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.
 

Benjamin Franklin's Famous Quotes

27 related questions found

What was Ben 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 is the most comforting quote for death?

The best comfort quotes for death focus on love's permanence, memory, and finding strength, with popular ones including "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal" (Irish Proverb), "What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we love deeply becomes a part of us" (Helen Keller), and "Grief is the price we pay for love" (Queen Elizabeth II). Other favorites emphasize living fully, like "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" (Dr. Seuss).
 

What is the wisest quote ever?

There's no single "wisest quote ever," as wisdom is subjective, but contenders often center on humility, self-awareness, and action, with Socrates' "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing" being a classic for acknowledging limits, while Confucius' "Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change" highlights adaptability, and Maya Angelou's "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude" emphasizes personal power. Other profound ideas include focusing on empathy, learning from failure, and taking courageous action, as seen in quotes from Gandhi, Oprah, and Peter Drucker. 

What is a cool 3-word quote?

Cool three-word quotes offer powerful inspiration, focusing on action, mindset, or simplicity, with examples like "Just do it," "Live, laugh, love," "Keep moving forward," "Believe you can," and "Make it count," covering themes from achieving dreams to appreciating life,. 

What is the best line of life?

The "best" line for life depends on your perspective, but popular choices emphasize living fully ("Love the life you live"), finding purpose ("He who has a why to live can bear almost any how"), embracing challenges ("Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain"), and self-creation ("Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself"). Ultimately, many agree life is about attitude, action, and appreciating the journey. 

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 are two famous quotes?

Here are two famous quotes: "To be, or not to be, that is the question," from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," said by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his first inaugural address. Both are iconic, representing profound philosophical doubt and courageous leadership, respectively, from literature and history. 

What did Benjamin Franklin say about death?

Benjamin Franklin once said, 'In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. ' Let's make sure your loved ones are protected from one of those certainties.

What are 5 positive quotes?

Here are five positive quotes to uplift and inspire: "It always seems impossible until it's done" (Nelson Mandela), "Keep your face to the sunshine, and you cannot see a shadow" (Helen Keller), "The best way out is always through" (Robert Frost), "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose" (Dr. Seuss), and "Be the change that you wish to see in the world" (Mahatma Gandhi). 

What is a patriotic quote from Benjamin Franklin?

Benjamin Franklin expressed the goal of America's experiment in liberty when he said, “God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: This is my country.”

What is Ben Franklin's epitaph?

“The Body of B. Franklin, Printer; like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost; For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended By the Author.”⁠

What is the strongest short quote?

There's no single "most powerful" quote, as impact varies, but top contenders often focus on action, self-belief, or resilience, like "If you're going through hell, keep going." (Churchill), "It always seems impossible until it's done." (Mandela), "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." (Charles R. Swindoll), or "Be who you are and say what you feel, for those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter." (Dr. Seuss/Theodore Giesel). 

What are the catchiest 3-word phrases?

110 Memorable Three-Word Quotes That Are Short And Sweet

  • “I'll be there.”
  • “I love you.”
  • “Maybe you're right.”
  • “I trust you.”
  • “Go for it.”
  • “Got your back.”
  • “How are you?”
  • “I want you.”

What is a triple quote?

Triple-quoted strings can span multiple lines, making them useful for writing long strings, such as templates, docstrings, or string literals that contain line breaks. With triple-quoted strings, you don't need to use escape characters for newlines, which can make your code more readable and maintainable.

What is the deepest quote of all time?

Deep quotes often explore life's meaning, human nature, and personal growth, emphasizing experience over solution ("Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced" - Soren Kierkegaard), finding strength in vulnerability ("When we hit our lowest point we are open to the greatest change" - Reddit user), the power of kindness ("No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" - Aesop), and embracing change ("The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change, and the realist adjusts the sails" - Proverb). 

What is a wise old saying?

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it. Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect).

What is the most powerful quote of all time?

There's no single "most powerful" quote, as impact is subjective, but popular choices often focus on personal growth, action, and resilience, like Mahatma Gandhi's "Be the change you wish to see in the world", Maya Angelou's "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better," or Winston Churchill's "If you are going through hell, keep going," highlighting transformation, courage, and enduring hardship. 

What is the most comforting thing to say at a funeral?

If you don't know them very well, a simple 'I'm sorry for your loss' is fine, although it is often better if you can say something about the person who has died, for example 'I'm so sorry that you've lost your Dad (his name), he was a lovely man and I know we'll miss him very much.

What is a nice quote to uplift someone?

It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up. The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow. Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

What should you not say to someone grieving?

Avoid saying platitudes like "They're in a better place," "Everything happens for a reason," or "I know how you feel," as these minimize pain and dismiss their feelings; instead, offer simple presence, validation, and practical help, as grief isn't about fixing it but about holding space for the person's profound loss and acknowledging their reality.