I’ve been reading a lot of Benjamin Franklin lately, and I am saving some of my favorite quotes.
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States and a polymath who was known for his wisdom and wit.
Here are five of my favorite Benjamin Franklin quotes and an explanation for each:
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
This quote emphasizes the importance of education and learning, and how investing in one’s knowledge and skills can lead to long-term benefits and rewards.
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
This quote is one of my favorites because it not only is super memorable, it also shows Franklin’s humor. It’s a reminder of the inevitability of death and the need to pay taxes. It is often used to express the inescapable aspects of life, but can also be seen as a call to live life to the fullest while one can.
“Well done is better than well said.”
This quote highlights the importance of action over words, and how actions speak louder than words. It is a call to prioritize results and accomplishments over empty promises and talk.
“There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know oneself.”
This quote speaks to the difficulty of truly understanding oneself and one’s own motivations, values, and weaknesses. It is a reminder of the importance of introspection and self-reflection. I know Franklin was inspired by Socrates and some of the philosophers of that time. I have no doubt that the “knowing thyself” was from one of his readings from ancient philosophy.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
This quote emphasizes the importance of active participation and engagement in the learning process. It suggests that involvement in the learning process is key to retaining knowledge and truly understanding a subject. This is probably the most impactful one that can apply to any generation.
