To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.
Benjamin FranklinRead
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in an error.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true gentleman is capable of admitting mistakes and taking responsibility for his actions.
Benjamin Franklin's quote emphasizes the importance of humility and accountability in personal conduct. It suggests that a mark of true character lies in one's ability to recognize and confess their errors, indicating that self-awareness and the courage to admit one's faults are traits associated with a well-bred individual.
Themes
HumilityAccountabilityIntegrityAdmissionCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a speech about personal development at a leadership conference.
More from Benjamin Franklin
All quotes →He'll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.
Benjamin FranklinRead
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Let honesty and industry be thy constant companions, and spend one penny less than thy clear gains; then shall thy pocket begin to thrive; creditors will not insult, nor want oppress, nor hungerness bite, nor nakedness freeze thee
Benjamin FranklinRead
I think that a young state, like a young virgin, should modestly stay at home, and wait the application of suitors for an alliance with her; and not run about offering her amity to all the world; and hazarding their refusal. Our virgin is a jolly one; and tho at present not very rich, will in time be a great fortune, and where she has a favorable predisposition, it seems to me well worth cultivating.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Similar quotes
Those who think that they have arrived, have lost their way. Those who think they have reached their goal, have missed it. Those who think they are saints, are demons.
Henri NouwenRead
People live through such pain only once. Pain comes again—but it finds a tougher surface.
Willa CatherRead
Defy the crowd. The crowd isn’t always wise. It can also lead you down a path of silliness, sub-optimal choices, and downright destruction. Enchantment is as necessary for people to diverge from a crowd as it is to get people to join one.
Guy KawasakiRead
Avoidable human misery is more often caused not so much by stupidity as by ignorance, particularly our ignorance about ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
We have to cultivate contentment with what we have. We really don't need much. When you know this, the mind settles down. Cultivate generosity. Delight in giving. Learn to live lightly. In this way, we can begin to transform what is negative into what is positive. This is how we start to grow up.
Tenzin PalmoRead
The greatest genius will not be worth much if he pretends to draw exclusively from his own resources
Johann Wolfgang Von GoetheRead