“He that can have patience can have what he will.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“He that can have patience can have what he will.”
Explanation
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin extols patience as a powerful and essential virtue. The phrase “can have what he will” suggests that patience enables a person to achieve almost any goal, given time and perseverance. Rather than relying on force or impulse, Franklin points to deliberate restraint and persistence as the keys to long-term success.
This insight is deeply aligned with Franklin’s broader philosophy of self-discipline and strategic action, which he emphasized in both his personal life and public teachings. Living in an age that valued industriousness and rational planning, Franklin believed that immediate gratification often undermined meaningful achievement. Patience, by contrast, allowed for preparation, growth, and the eventual realization of one’s ambitions.
In the modern era, marked by instant results and short attention spans, this quote remains profoundly relevant. Whether building a career, mastering a skill, or navigating complex relationships, the ability to wait, endure setbacks, and remain focused over time is often what separates success from failure. Franklin’s words remind us that patience is not passivity—it is disciplined, forward-looking strength, and with it, great things become possible.
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