What did Benjamin Franklin say about freedom of speech?
Asked by: Ms. Clara Franecki II | Last update: April 24, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (2 votes)
Benjamin Franklin famously stated, "Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom—and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech," emphasizing its necessity for a free society, and also asserted, "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," highlighting its foundational role in democracy, with these ideas rooted in early writings like his Silence Dogood letters.
What did Benjamin Franklin say about free speech?
Benjamin Franklin once said “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom – and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.” The United States provides protections for free speech.
What did Benjamin Franklin say about freedom?
1, refers to Benjamin Franklin's famous quote, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
What is a famous quote about freedom of speech?
"Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech." ―Silence Dogood, likely pseudonym of Benjamin Franklin.
What is Ben Franklin's famous quote?
For example, one of the most-popular sayings attributed to Franklin is, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” This appears to be a combination of two Franklin proverbs. Other famous Franklin quotes are well-documented. In “Advice To A Young Tradesman,” Franklin writes that, “Remember that time is money.”
Ben Franklin's Speech at the End of the Constitutional Convention
What did Benjamin Franklin say in his speech?
Thus, I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die.
What was Benjamin Franklin's moral code?
Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. JUSTICE.
What did George Orwell say about freedom of speech?
importance of being able to say what one thinks is true underlies the famous Orwellian aphorism from Nineteen Eighty-Four that 'Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows.
What did Mark Twain say about freedom of speech?
It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practise either of them.
What did Thomas Jefferson say about freedom of speech?
A year later, Jefferson suggested to Madison that the free speech-free press clause might read something like: The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write or otherwise to publish anything but false facts affecting injuriously the life, liberty, property, or reputation of others or ...
What is Franklin's famous line?
Benjamin Franklin has many famous lines, but some of the most well-known are "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes" and "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety," alongside practical advice from Poor Richard's Almanack, like "Time is money" and "Well done is better than well said". His quotes cover themes of industry, virtue, and self-improvement, often emphasizing action over words.
What is the most famous quote about freedom?
- “Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.” — ...
- “Better to die fighting for freedom then be a prisoner all the days of your life.” — ...
- “The best road to progress is freedom's road.” — ...
- “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.
What were Ben Franklin's last words?
Benjamin Franklin's reported last words were, "A dying man can do nothing easy," uttered to his daughter Sarah who suggested he adjust his position in bed for comfort, just moments before he died on April 17, 1790, at age 84. These words reflect his characteristic wit and acceptance of death as a natural process, fitting for a man who often contemplated life and mortality.
What is Benjamin Franklin's 1 hour rule?
Ben Franklin's "1 Hour Rule" is actually the Five-Hour Rule, a concept attributed to him where successful people dedicate at least one hour daily to focused learning, reading, or reflection, totaling five hours a week, to continuously improve skills and knowledge, a practice adopted by modern figures like Elon Musk and Bill Gates. It involves intentional activities like reading, deliberate practice, problem-solving, or discussing ideas, fostering discipline and growth beyond daily tasks.
What did our forefathers say about freedom of speech?
“In those wretched countries where a man cannot call his tongue his own, he can scarce call anything his own. Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech; a thing terrible to publick traytors.” “Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.”
What does Franklin confess as he begins his speech?
Franklin began on a note of humility. “I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them.
What did Churchill say about free speech?
Winston Churchill – "Some people's idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage." 🗣️ Churchill highlights hypocrisy: many demand freedom to speak but resist accountability.
What did Socrates say about freedom of speech?
Socrates' defense speech, as recounted by Plato, makes arguments that would later become elements of standard defenses of freedom of speech. In Plato's telling, Socrates argues that people cannot help believing what they believe and therefore ought to be corrected rather than punished.
What did George Orwell say about censorship?
There always must be, or at any rate there always will be, some degree of censorship, so long as organised societies endure.
What did Thomas Hobbes say about freedom of speech?
To begin with his doctrine: Hobbes's commitment to some form of self-censorship arises from the apparent tension between his formal commitment to free thought, and his striking claim that individuals have no entitlement at all to freedom of speech or action; not only are subjects formally obliged to profess whatever is ...
What did John Adams say about freedom?
Our Consolation must be this, my dear, that Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever.
What does Bernard say about freedom?
"Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." – George Bernard Shaw Freedom is not just about rights; it comes with the duty to make choices wisely. Many fear true liberty because it demands accountability for one's actions.
What is Ben Franklin's most famous quote?
Benjamin Franklin's most famous quotes often center on thrift, wisdom, and liberty, with "A penny saved is a penny earned," "Time is money," and "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" being among the most recognized, though he penned many memorable sayings in Poor Richard's Almanack and other works.
What was Benjamin Franklin's IQ?
While Benjamin Franklin's IQ wasn't formally tested, historical estimates place his intelligence in the genius range, with sources citing figures around 160, consistent with his extraordinary polymathic achievements in science, invention, diplomacy, and writing, often ranked alongside other historical geniuses like Einstein in theoretical estimations.
What is the Ben Franklin rule?
He was a self-taught man and constantly worked to improve himself. Franklin planned and managed his time and activities in a disciplined way. A tool he developed for himself was the five-hour rule. The rule dictates that five hours each week must be spent learning – one hour each day, excepting weekends.