Benjamin Franklin Quotes
We hold these truths to be self-evident …
Jefferson, who drafted the declaration, asked Franklin to edit it—see {604295}. This phrase was suggested as a replacement for Jefferson’s original: “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable.”
Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, Governor of Pennsylvania, Member of the Continental Congress & the Constitutional Convention, Governor of Pennsylvania, President of the Pennsylvania Assembly, U.S. Minister to France, Postmaster General of the American Colonies, Phrase from the Declaration of Independence, 1776
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Jefferson, like most authors, chafed with the changes made to his “masterpiece.” He had earlier asked Franklin to edit the document who did so lightly—see {604295} and {642956}
See {642956} for an example of Franklin’s changes.
Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A polymath, he was a leading writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department, and the University of Pennsylvania.
