Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin, (1706-1790) US Founding Father

Benjamin Franklin Quote

“Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.”

Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin
~ Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, in the Poor Richard's Almanack of 1738

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

WOW, can I rate this a thousand times? Volumes could be here written.

J Carlton, Calgary

Pres. Wilson confessed on his death bed and asked God to forgive him for doing exactly that. Let morality and nobility be your guide.

Justin, Elkland

Wealth earned is virtuous. I'll will assume that Franklin means Liberty in the general sense, as in other men's liberty, since one cannot trade their own liberty for power. I'll give three stars since I had to give Franklin the benefit of the doubt and assume he means "Sell not virtue to purchase wealth (unearned), nor (another man's) Liberty to purchase power”.

Ron, s
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Ron, s    6/30/10

The King is served by the field. With the riches of the world comes the responsibility to feed the increase of mouths whom have made you wealthy by the sweat of there labor in the field. There is profit in all labor. Sell not virtue nor liberty in carrying out your duty to protect those rights of the common man , natural liberty.

Anonymous
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Anonymous    6/30/10

Inspiring words from a great man in History.

Abigail, Newport

Were are those virtuous mental giants of old? We need them now, we need them now....

E Archer, NYC

The key to happiness!

Anon
  • Reply
Anon    7/18/10
Ronw13, Oregon

Don't be a tyrant for wealth, or provide security to plunder.

Robert, Somewhere in the USA

Unfortunately, the sale of ethics and integrity in the USA is going strong, and the Devil has a lot more money where that came from....

Harriet B. Stowe., Boston

Ben Franklins generation was smarter then any that came after it. It is the greatest generation not so reporters daydream.

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