20 Ben Franklin Quotes from Poor Richard's Almanac to Live By

Introduction

Quotes have a unique power to cut through doubt, sharpen focus, and kindle motivation. The short, pithy sayings in Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard's Almanac are perfect for a quick jolt of clarity—tuck them into your morning routine, share with a team, pin to your workspace, or repeat when you need steady, practical encouragement.

Motivational quotes

• "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
• "Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today."
• "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
• "Lost time is never found again."
• "Diligence is the mother of good luck."
• "Well done is better than well said."

Life wisdom quotes

• "A penny saved is a penny earned."
• "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
• "Little strokes fell great oaks."
• "Mind your business."
• "Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."
• "Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee."

Success and work quotes

• "If you would know the value of money, try to borrow some."
• "He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas."
• "When you're finished changing, you're finished."
• "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
• "Hire out thy time and let not time hire thee." (Use your time; don't let it use you.)

Happiness and relationships quotes

• "Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards."
• "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead."
• "Glass, china, and reputation are easily cracked, and never well mended."
• "Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing him."
• "Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt."

Practical daily inspiration & cautionary quotes

• "The sleeping fox catches no poultry."
• "Advice is like castor oil, easy enough to give, but dreadful uneasy to take."
• "Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame."
• "Don't throw stones at your neighbors if your own windows are glass."
• "Little talk saves great pains."

Conclusion

A single line of well-timed wisdom can reset your priorities, steady your nerves, or push you into action. Keep a few of these Poor Richard quotes near at hand—use them as mantras, prompts for reflection, or sparks for better habits. Over time, the steady application of such practical truths can reshape how you work, relate, and live.