

“Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
Letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy · 1789
Traced to Letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy (1789).
More from Benjamin Franklin
“If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.”
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanack · 1736
verified“That it is better 100 guilty Persons should escape than that one innocent Person should suffer, is a maxim that has been long and generally approved; never, that I know of, controverted.”
Benjamin Franklin
Letter to Benjamin Vaughan · 1785
verified“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
Benjamin Franklin
Letter to the Abbés Chalut and Arnaud · 1787
verified“Remember that time is money.”
Benjamin Franklin
Advice to a Young Tradesman, Written by an Old One · 1748
verified“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.”
Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Almanack · 1756
verified“If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.”
Benjamin Franklin
Apology for Printers · 1730
verifiedMore Humor quotes
“When in doubt, tell the truth.”
Mark Twain
Following the Equator · 1897
verified“The old believe everything; the middle-aged suspect everything; the young know everything.”
Oscar Wilde
Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young · 1894
verified“Men marry because they are tired; women because they are curious. Both are disappointed.”
Oscar Wilde
A Woman of No Importance · 1893
verified“Oh, Diamond! Diamond! thou little knowest what mischief thou hast done!”
Isaac Newton
Anecdote in St. Nicholas magazine, Vol. 5, No. 4 · 1878
likely“I have no idea. People who boast about their IQ are losers.”
Stephen Hawking
The Science of Second-Guessing, The New York Times · 2004
verified“Life would be tragic if it weren't funny.”
Stephen Hawking
The Science of Second-Guessing, The New York Times · 2004
verified