“He that displays too often his wife and his wallet is in danger of having both of them borrowed.”

“If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.”

“Were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint, but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a light-house.[Letter to his wife, 17 July 1757, after narrowly avoiding a shipwreck; often misquoted as "Lighthouses are more helpful than churches."]”

“He had been brought up to it from a boy, his father, as I have heard, accustoming his children to dispute with one another for his diversion, while sitting at the table after dinner, but I think the practice was not wise; for, in the course of my observation, these disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.”

“He that drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone.”

“He who drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone.”

“If you would know the worth of money, go and try to borrow some.”