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This [the U.S. Constitution] is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.

Benjamin Franklin

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Benjamin Franklin
Age: 84 †
Born: 1706
Born: January 17
Died: 1790
Died: April 17
Autobiographer
Chess Player
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Diplomat
Economist
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Journalist
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Physicist
Boston
Massachusetts
Silence Dogood
Ben Franklin
The First American
Franklin
Poor Richard
Need
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Needs
Constitution
Years
Shall
People
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Despotic
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Administered
Ends
Corrupted
Become
Despotism
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Incapable

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A fine genius in his own country is like gold in the mine.
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That there is one God, who made all things. That he governs the world by his providence. That he might be worshipped by adoration, prayer, and thanksgiving. But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to Man. That the Soul is immortal. And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice, either here or hereafter.
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Virtues, of ... Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
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I cannot conceive otherwise than that He, the Infinite Father, expects or requires no worship or praise from us, but that He is even infinitely above it.
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A friend in need is a friend indeed!
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Contentment makes a poor person rich and discontent makes a rich person poor.
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There will be plenty of time to sleep once you are dead
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Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
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If you, do what you should not, you must bear what you would not.
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A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and leave contently.
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Do not let fancy outrun your means.
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Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor but the highest form of flattery.
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I would advise you to read with a pen in your hand and enter in a little book short hints of what you feel that is common or that may be useful for this will be the best method of imprinting such portcullis in your memory.
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