"An iron rod being placed on the outside of a building from the highest part continued down into the moist earth, in any direction strait or crooked, following the form of the roof or other parts of the building, will receive the lightning at its upper end, attracting it so as to prevent it's striking any other part; and, affording it a good conveyance into the earth, will prevent its damaging any part of the building."
Benjamin Franklin
Inventor, Statesman, Author
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the United States, renowned for his contributions to science, politics, and philosophy, especially through 'Poor Richard's Almanack.'
- Born
- January 17, 1706
- Died
- April 17, 1790
- Quotes
- 1.4K
- Rank
- #44
Quote collection
Benjamin Franklin quotes (page 69 of 70)
1.4K quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Let every one ascertain his special business and calling, and then stick to it if he wants to be successful."
"We are a kind of posterity in respect to them."
"There is no gains without pain."
"an enormous proportion of property vested in a few individuals is dangerous to the rights, and destructive of the common happiness of mankind, and, therefore, every free state hath a right by its laws to discourage the possession of such property."
"Nothing in the world is certain except for death and taxes."
"Increase in me that wisdom Which discovers my truest interest, Strengthen my resolution To perform that which wisdom dictates."
"Private property...is the creature of society and is subject to the calls of that society even to the last farthing."
"A lonely man on a rainy night who cannot read."
"I know as well as thee that I am no poet born It is a trade, I never learnt nor indeed could learn If I make verses-'tis in spite Of nature and my stars I write."
"If all but myself were blind, I should want neither a fine house nor fine furniture."
"Anger warms the invention, but overheats the oven."
"The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively."
"That the vegetable creation should restore the air which is spoiled by the animal part of it, looks like a rational system, and seems to be of a piece with the rest."
"Mankind naturally and generally love to be flatter'd."
"Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them, and will never adopt our Language or Customs, any more than they can acquire our Complexion."
"The wise and the brave dares own that he was wrong."
"Seek virtue and of that posest, to Providence resign the rest."
"Grace thou thy house and let not that grace thee."
"Nor eye in a letter, nor hand in a purse, nor ear in the secret of another."