Benjamin Franklin quotes he actually wrote
The top 3 according to 15 votes from people: In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. · Remember that time is money. · Well done is better than well said.. (Updated Jun 9, 2022.)
Franklin's sharpest lines from Poor Richard's Almanack, his letters and his Autobiography, each with its source. Left out: «Tell me and I forget…» and «The definition of insanity…», which he never wrote.
Top 12
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1
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
Letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, 13 November 1789, quoting a saying already around since 1716.
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2
Remember that time is money.
Advice to a Young Tradesman (1748).
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3
Well done is better than well said.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1737).
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4
If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.
«Apology for Printers» (1731).
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5
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Pennsylvania Assembly's «Reply to the Governor», 11 November 1755.
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6
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1735).
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7
He has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.
«The Whistle» (1779), on a childhood lesson about overpaying for things.
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8
It is better 100 guilty Persons should escape than that one innocent Person should suffer.
Letter to Benjamin Vaughan, 14 March 1785.
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9
Human Felicity is produc'd not so much by great Pieces of good Fortune that seldom happen, as by little Advantages that occur every Day.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
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10
Distrust & caution are the parents of security.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1733).
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11
Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.
Poor Richard's Almanack (1756).
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12
A great Empire, like a great Cake, is most easily diminished at the Edges.
«Rules by Which a Great Empire May Be Reduced to a Small One» (1773), his satire on British policy.
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