Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s revered Founding Fathers, left a legacy of wisdom, wit, and inspiration through his famous quotes. Despite lacking formal education, Franklin’s passion for learning and interest in the written word fueled his journey as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, and writer.
How Benjamin Franklin’s Quotes Became Popular
Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin left school after just two years to help his father in their soap and candle shop. Despite this, he never stopped learning. He read books and essays, testing his memory by quoting passages and writing them down from memory.
Franklin’s love for writing led him to work at his brother’s print shop, where he created the persona “Silence Dogood” to publish his own editorials in the New-England Courant. These covered topics like religion, marriage, and women’s fashion.
After leaving his brother’s shop, Franklin set up a successful printing business in Philadelphia, publishing the Philadelphia Gazette, one of the colonies’ most popular newspapers. In 1732, he launched Poor Richard’s Almanack under the pseudonym “Richard Saunders,” which became famous for its proverbs like “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
The Most Quotable Founding Father In The Revolution
Initially hesitant about rebelling against the British, Franklin played a key role in the American Revolution. He was involved in the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the United States Constitution.
During these moments, Franklin’s quotes resonated deeply. After signing the Declaration of Independence, he supposedly said, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” When asked if the United States would be a republic or a monarchy after the Constitutional Convention, Franklin famously replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Franklin’s wisdom wasn’t limited to politics. His quotes often reflect timeless common sense and occasionally a touch of humor. From thoughts on virtue and reputation to musings on wine and proposing the turkey as America’s national bird, Franklin’s quotes capture both American wisdom and his unique personality.