Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
 

A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.

All human situations have their inconveniences. We feel those of the present but neither see nor feel those of the future; and hence we often make troublesome changes without amendment, and frequently for the worse.

All would live long, but none would be old.

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment.
 
Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.

Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

Beware of the young doctor and the old barber.
 
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.

Drive thy business or it will drive thee.

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society.

Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure.

Energy and persistence conquer all things.
 
Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.

He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?

If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone.

If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting.

If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect.

If you wouldst live long, live well, for folly and wickedness shorten life.

If your head is wax, don't walk in the sun.

Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.