Today is the anniversary of the 1706 birth of founding father Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential statesmen and thinkers of the American Revolution.
National Mall and Memorial Parks described Franklin as “the quintessential American” who was a printer, a writer, a diplomat, an inventor, a scientist, and a politician. During the American Revolution, Franklin helped to convince the French monarch to support our cause for freedom. Already elderly but mentally sharp as ever, Ben also served in the Continental Congress and at the Constitutional Convention, hence his signature appears on both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Eccentric, humorous, and as comfortable in a bare-bones Yankee print-shop eating bread and cheese as at a European court eating the most expensive delicacies, Ben Franklin’s life was filled with an extraordinary number of changes in fortune, journeys, and historic events. Through poverty and affluence, both at home and abroad, he always retained a set of core principles to live by.
But the National Mall’s tribute post also noted that Franklin was one “of the most quotable people in history,” with a funny or insightful saying “for almost every occasion.” In light of that aspect of his character, I want to share a few quotes today from the man whose writings and arguments became famous decades before he helped launch and fuel a revolution.
“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.”
“Well done is better than well said.”
“Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.”
Recommended: Scott Adams’ Final Message to His Fellow Americans
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
“Lost Time is never found again.”
“Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good.”
“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.”
“Every man… is, of common right, and by the laws of God, a freeman, and entitled to the free enjoyment of liberty.”
“Better slip with foot than tongue.”
“Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics…derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates.”
“What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.”
“Haste makes Waste.”
“God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: This is my country.”
“Ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation to the prejudice and oppression of another is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy…An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy.”
“Don’t throw stones at your neighbors, if your own windows are glass.”
“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”
This is the 250th year since America’s birth, and may our nation and Ben Franklin’s legacy live at least 250 years more.
