United States Founding Fathers

Benjamin Franklin

Quotes

Acknowledgment of God

1. "In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity. It having please the Divine Providence to dispose the hearts ..." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin , with John Jay, and John Adams, acknowledging God at the beginning of the Treaty of Paris, ending the war between the Colonies and Great Britain, "Select Documents Illustrative of the History of the United States, 1776-1861", William MacDonald, editor, (New York: The MacMillan Company, 1898), p. 16

2. Mr President [George Washington, Constitutional Convention],

   The small progress we have made after 4 or five weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other--our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding.

   We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

   In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?

   In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. - Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered.

   All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.

   And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance?

   I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

   We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel:

   We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages.

   And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.

   I therefore beg leave to move - that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service--

   - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin , "The Papers of James Madison", Henry D. Gilpin, editor, (Washington: Langtree and O'Sullivan, 1840), Vol. II, pp. 984-986, June 28, 1787; "Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 Reported by James Madison", James Madison, (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., Ohio University Press, 1966), pp. 209-210

Age of Reason - by Thomas Paine

1. "I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundation of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear his displeasure, or to pray for his protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion that ... the consequence of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium [hate] drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits into the wind, spits in his own face. But were you to suceed, do you imagine any good would be done by it? ... Think how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue. ... I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person. ... If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it. I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin , "The Works of Benjamin Franklin", Jared Sparks, editor, (Boston: Tappan, Whittemore and Mason, 1840), Vol. X, pp. 281-282, to Thomas Paine in 1790

Christianity

1. "History will also afford frequent opportunities of showing the necessity of a public religion ... and the excellency of the Christian religion above all others, ancient or modern." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin , "The Works of Benjamin Franklin", Jared Sparks, editor, (Boston: Tappan, Whittemore and Mason, 1840), Vol. X, p. 297, to Messrs. The Abbes Chalut and Arnaud on April 17, 1787

Freedom

1. "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." - United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Signer of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin , "The Writings of Benjamin Franklin", Jared Sparks, editor (Boston: Tappan, Whittemore and Mason, 1840), Vol. X, p. 297, April 17, 1787, To the Abb¨¦s Chalut and Arnoux.