Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

By Benjamin Franklin QUOTATION: I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, make the execution of that same plan his sole study and business.
ATTRIBUTION: Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), U.S. statesman, writer. Autobiography, ch. 7 (written 1771-1790, published 1868).

QUOTATION: Every accent, every emphasis, every modulation of voice, was so perfectly well turned and well placed, that, without being interested in the subject, one could not help being pleased with the discourse; a pleasure of much the same kind with that received from an excellent piece of music. This is an advantage itinerant preachers have over those who are stationary, as the latter can not well improve their delivery of a sermon by so many rehearsals.
ATTRIBUTION: Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), U.S. statesman, writer. Autobiography, ch. 8 (written 1771-1790, published 1868).

QUOTATION: Like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, though in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them.
ATTRIBUTION: Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), U.S. statesman, writer. Autobiography, ch. 8 (written 1771-1790, published 1868).

QUOTATION: The Great Spirit, who made all things, made every thing for some use, and whatever use he designed anything for, that use it should always be put to. Now, when he made rum, he said “Let this be for the Indians to get drunk with,” and it must be so.
ATTRIBUTION: Native American elder. Quoted in Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography, ch. 8 (written 1771-1790, published 1868).

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