Who said “If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.”?

Verified

Benjamin Franklin. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourcePoor Richard's Almanack (1736), November

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Poor Richard's Almanack (1736), November.

APA

Franklin, B. (n.d.). If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13289-if-you-desire-many-things-many-things-will/

MLA

Franklin, Benjamin. “If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13289-if-you-desire-many-things-many-things-will/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Franklin, Benjamin. “If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13289-if-you-desire-many-things-many-things-will/.