Benjamin Franklin Quotes About Youth

• In my youth, I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Country, Government, Different

  Benjamin Franklin (2008). “The Autobiography and Other Writings”, p.298, Bantam Classics

• The good Education of Youth has been esteemed by wise Men in all Ages, as the surest Foundation of the Happiness both of private Families and of Common-wealths. Almost all Governments have therefore made it a principal Object of their Attention, to establish and endow with proper Revenues, such Seminaries of Learning, as might supply the succeeding Age with Men qualified to serve the Publick with Honour to themselves, and to their Country.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Education, Wise, Country

  Benjamin Franklin (2006). “The Portable Benjamin Franklin”, p.190, Penguin

• I think also, that general virtue is more probably to be expected and obtained from the education of youth, than from exhortations of adult persons; bad habits and vices of the mind being, like diseases of the body, more easily prevented than cured. I think moreover, that talents for the education of youth are the gift of God; and that he on whom they are bestowed, whenever a way is opened for use of them, is as strongly called as if he heard a voice from heaven.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Education, Thinking, Voice

  Benjamin Franklin (1838). “The Works of Benjamin Franklin: Containing Several Political and Historical Tracts Not Included in Any Former Ed., and Many Letters Official and Private, Not Hitherto Published; with Notes and a Life of the Author”, p.48

• [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 accumulation during youth and health for support in age and sickness.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Eye, Government, Giving

  Benjamin Franklin (1835). “The Works of Benjamin Franklin”, p.221

• Reckless youth makes rueful age.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Age, Youth, Reckless

• Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading good History, must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of the Beauty and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit, Fortitude.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Education, Reading, Mind

  Benjamin Franklin (2006). “The Portable Benjamin Franklin”, p.193, Penguin

• History will also give occasion to expatiate on the advantage of civil orders and constitutions; how men and their properties are protected by joining in societies and establishing government; their industry encouraged and rewarded, arts invented, and life made more comfortable; the advantages of liberty, mischiefs of licentiousness, benefits arising from good laws and a due execution of justice. Thus may the first principles of sound politics be fixed in the minds of youth.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Education, Art, Men

  Benjamin Franklin, Walter Isaacson (2003). “A Benjamin Franklin Reader”, p.144, Simon and Schuster

• Nothing is more important for the public wealth than to form and train youth in wisdom and virtue. Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Character, People, Important

• There was great difference in persons; and discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Years, Differences, Youth

  "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin".

• I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Wise, Thinking, Men

  Benjamin Franklin (1838). “The Works of Benjamin Franklin: Containing Several Political and Historical Tracts Not Included in Any Former Ed., and Many Letters Official and Private, Not Hitherto Published; with Notes and a Life of the Author”, p.48

• Keep flax from fire, and youth from gaming.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Fire, Gambling, Youth

  "Poor Richard's Almanack" by Benjamin Franklin, 1736.

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