A Quote by Benjamin Franklin

We are more heavily taxed by our idleness, pride and folly than we are taxed by government.

Benjamin Franklin

Quote Topics

Folly Government Idleness More Our Pride Than

Quote Author

Benjamin Franklin
American - Politician
January 17, 1706 - April 17, 1790

Friends and neighbors complain that taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might the more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly.

Benjamin Franklin

Taxes are indeed very heavy - We are taxed twice as much by our Idleness. Three times as much by our Pride. And four times as much by our Folly.

Benjamin Franklin

Government lasts as long as the under-taxed can defend themselves against the over-taxed.

Bernard Berenson

You have to be taxed. Just because you work a little harder to have a little bit more money taken from you, I mean, that's scary. I worked hard for it. Why should I be taxed more than other people?

Joe Wurzelbacher

Though tax records are generally looked upon as a nuisance, the day may come when historians will realize that tax records tell the real story behind civilized life. How people were taxed, who was taxed, and what was taxed tell more about a society than anything else. Tax habits could be to civilization what sex habits are to personality. They are basic clues to the way a society behaves.

Charles Adams

Currently, not only are Americans taxed on what they earn, but those assets are taxed again when they are passed on to a loved one.

Mary Bono

No church property is taxed and so the infidel and the atheist and the man without religion are taxed to make up the deficit.

Mark Twain

The American people are not just being taxed to death; they're being taxed after death. But, no one should have to sell the life's work of a parent or a loved one just to pay the federal government.

J. D. Hayworth

Is there any reason why the American people should be taxed to guarantee the debts of banks, any more than they should be taxed to guarantee the debts of other institutions, including merchants, the industries, and the mills of the country?

Carter Glass

I used to get taxed on my allowance. Yeah, I've been taxed since I was a little kid. And at the end of the year I had to pick a charity to donate my taxes to.

Lauren Conrad

Who are ever taxed? Individuals only. Who have property that can be taxed? Individuals only. Who can give their consent to be taxed? Individuals only. Who are ever taxed without their consent? Individuals only. Who, then, are robbed, if taxed without their consent? Individuals only.

Lysander Spooner

The harder you work for money, the more you are taxed, the harder your money works, the less it is taxed.

Robert Kiyosaki

We're the highest taxed nation in the world. When I finish the plan, we'll be among the lower taxed, which is very good. I'd like to be the lowest, but you can't be the lowest.