Quoteworthy sayings that still ring true

​Profound thoughts from great thinkers have always been inspired by their life experiences and the times they lived in. At the time of America’s birth, Benjamin Franklin traveled to

countries such as France and England to find answers to problems facing the New World. ​ Through the development of the postal service, fire insurance and musical instruments, and by sharing

his beliefs in freedom, liberty, equal justice and the pursuit of happiness, B. Free Franklin, as his postal stamp nickname notes, spread his wisdom through the printing press, almanacs,

speeches and proclamations. ​Franklin’s thoughts are as profoundly true today as when he wrote them.​ * “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest” emphasizes the value of education

and lifelong learning. * "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" encourages a disciplined and industrious lifestyle. * ​"Tell me, and I forget.

Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn" stresses the importance of active learning and participation. * ​"Well done is better than well said" advocates for action

and results over mere words. * "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” speaks to the importance of proactive measures to prevent problems. Or, as was famously said in Steel

Magnolias, "An ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure.” ​My father always told me: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This, too, has been attributed to Franklin. ​Some

common phrases don’t even come from the source to which they are usually credited. ​For instance, the phrase, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say

it,” is often attributed to the French writer and philosopher Voltaire. It is commonly associated with his advocacy for freedom of speech and expression, virtues many of us still value amid

today’s modern-day battles in the news and on social media. ​However, Voltaire did not write these words. Evelyn Beatrice Hall likely popularized them in her 1906 book, The Friends of

Voltaire, in which she summarized Voltaire’s beliefs using this paraphrase. ​ ​