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Benjamin Franklin on Independence Day

1706–1790 United States

← All quotes by Benjamin Franklin

10 quotes

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

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.

Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.

the Poor Richard's Almanack (1738)

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

Let me add, that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

The sun of liberty is set; you must light up the candle of industry and economy.

a letter from England to Charles Thompson (1764)

Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government... Republics... derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates.

From a persuasion that equal liberty was originally the Portion, It is still the Birthright of all men.

Petition from the Pennsylvania Society (1790)

Where liberty is, there is my country.

Attributed A New Dictionary of Quotations (1942)

[Freedom is] not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.

Misattributed

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Benjamin Franklin (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.