I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and governments. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
In rivers and bad governments, the lightest things swim at the top — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Never trust a government that doesn't trust its own citizens with guns. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
War is when the government tells you who the bad guy is. Revolution is when you decide that for yourself. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
We are more heavily taxed by our idleness, pride and folly than we are taxed by government. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
In free governments the rulers are the servants and the people are their superiors and sovereigns. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
We need a revolution every 200 years, because all governments become stale and corrupt after 200 years. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
If any form of government is capable of making a nation happy, ours I think bids fair now for producing that effect.… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
This [the U.S. Constitution] is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Unless the Stream of their Importation could be turned... they will soon so outnumber us, that all the advantages we have, will… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Whenever we attempt to mend the scheme of Providence and to interfere in the Government of the world, we had need be… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Where there is a free government, and the people make their own laws by their representatives, I see no injustice in their… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in all Ages, as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
“I am for doing good to the poor, but...I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Governments having failed the people, the people are entirely justified in assuming for themselves and essential role in government. Where a government… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Friends and neighbors complain that taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a transaction of… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
I firmly believe this ... that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the builders… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
In these sentiments, sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
History will also give occasion to expatiate on the advantage of civil orders and constitutions; how men and their properties are protected… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power. I am naturally very jealous for the rights and liberties of… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
That wise Men have in all Ages thought Government necessary for the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments have always thought… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
My dear friend, do not imagine that I am vain enough to ascribe our success [Revolution] to any superiority . . .… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Grievances cannot be redressed until they are known; and they cannot be known but through complaints and petitions. If these are deemed… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Friends and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
[T]he more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer . .… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share Image
Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
By heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
“But on the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it,… — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively. — Benjamin Franklin Copy Share
![“[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c9d/benjamin-franklin-65_citizen_e-very-man-who-comes-among-us-and-takes_2031132.png)
![“This [the U.S. Constitution] is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d23/benjamin-franklin-65_constitution_this-the-u-s-constitution-is-likely-to-b_2328463.jpg)
![“I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous importance [as the framing of the Constitution] ... should be suffered to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c85/benjamin-franklin-65_constitution_i-have-so-much-faith-in-the-general-gove_2419503.jpg)
![“My dear friend, do not imagine that I am vain enough to ascribe our success [Revolution] to any superiority . . . If it had not been for the justice of our cause, and the consequent interposition of Providence, in which we had faith, we must have been ruined. If I had ever before been an atheist…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fe/benjamin-franklin-65_atheist_my-dear-friend-do-not-imagine-that-i-am_1638238.png)
![“[T]he more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer . . . [taking] away from before their eyes the greatest of all inducements to industry, frugality, and sobriety, by giving them a dependence of somewhat else than a careful…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cd/benjamin-franklin-65_accumulation_t-he-more-public-provisions-were-made-fo_386793.jpg)
