Benjamin Quotes

No one for a moment can pretend that printing is so great a discovery as writing, or algebra as a language.

To be famous when you are young is the fortune of the gods.

Judaism is not complete without Christianity and without Judaism, Christianity would not exist.

I believe that, without party, Parliamentary government is impossible.

You asked me where I generally lived. In my workshop [i.e. in his study] in the mornings and always in the library in the evening. Books are companions even if you don’t open them.

We have legalized confiscation, consecrated sacrilege, and condoned high treason.

The tendency of an advanced civilization is in truth monarchy.

In other men we faults can spy,/ And blame the mote that dims their eye;/ Each little speck and blemish find;/ To our own stronger errors blind.

It is a bad temper of mind that takes delight in opposition.

I believe long habits of virtue have a sensible effect on the countenance.

The problem with common sense is, it isn't.

I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence.

When you are in debt, then you are a slave.

After getting the first hundred pounds, it is more easy to get the second.

Spare when young, and spend when old.

Religion I found to be without any tendency to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, serves principally to divide us and make us unfriendly to one another.

Why should I give my Readers bad lines of my own when good ones of other People's are so plenty?

Passion governs, and she never governs wisely.

Great talkers are little doers.

As often as we do good, we sacrifice.

The foundation of all happiness in thinking rightly.

There is always room for the man of force.

When men are employed they are best contented.

Thinking aloud is a habit which is responsible for most of mankind's misery.

I have found Christian dogma unintelligible.

Rules too soft are seldomly followed; rules too harsh are seldomly executed.

How can any Action be meritorious of Praise or Dispraise, Reward or Punishment, when the natural Principle of Self-Love is the only and the irresistible Motive to it?

Vice knows [its] ugly, so [it] puts on [a] mask.

Don't think so much of your own Cunning, as to forget other Men's; a Cunning Man is overmatched by a cunning Man and a Half.

Ill customs and bad advice are seldom forgotten.

A man compounded of law and gospel is able to cheat a whole country with his religion and then destroy them under color of law

No man ought to own more property than needed for his livelihood; the rest, by right, belonged to the state.

The key that unlocks a door is a key to keep if you want to go through that door again.

I early found that when I worked for myself alone, myself alone worked for me; but when I worked for others also, others worked also for me.

Do well by doing good.

The apostle Paul very seriously advised Timothy to put some wine in his water for health's sake, but not one of the apostles nor any of the holy fathers have ever recommended putting water in wine

Evil, as evil, can never be chosen; and though evil is often the effect of our own choice, yet we never desire it but under the appearance of an imaginary good.

Marry your son when you will, but you daughter when you can.

He gives twice that gives soon, i.e., he will soon be called to give again.

Oh the wonderful knowledge to be found in the stars. Even the smallest things are written there ... if you had but skill to read.

Let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be happy, that I may please Him, who is delighted to see me happy. Amen.

The best way to help the poor is to make them uncomfortable in their own poverty.

Some make Conscience of wearing a Hat in the Church, who make none of robbing the Altar.

The purpose of money was to purchase one's freedom to pursue that which is useful and interesting.

I am the laziest man in the world. I invented all those things to save myself from toil.

People who are willing to give up freedom for the sake of short term security, deserve neither freedom nor security.

Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.

Time is money, be a better you.

By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament.

What one relishes, nourishes.