Benjamin Franklin
born in 1706 AD; died in 1790 AD (age ~84)
discoverer of electricity, American founding father
Quotes (About)
No historic American, except possibly Benjamin Franklin, played so notable a part in so many important fields of activity and thought: government, law, education, agriculture, architecture, science, philosophy.
- Jefferson the Virginian
- p. viii (Easton Press, 1993)
After Benjamin Franklin [Thomas Jefferson] may be regarded as the fullest American embodiment of the ideals of the Enlightenment. Both in his intellectual and his public life he represented them in action.
- Jefferson the Virginian
- p. xv (Easton Press, 1993)
"I've been studying history," Peter said. "I've been learning things about patterns in human behavior. There are times when the world is rearranging itself, and at times like that, the right words can change the world. Thing what Pericles did in Athens, and Demosthenes—"
"Yes, they managed to wreck Athens twice."
"Pericles, yes, but Demosthenes was right about Philip—"
"Or provoked him—"
"See? This is what historians usually do, quibble about cause and effect when the point is, there are times when the world is in flux and the right voice in the right place can move the world. Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin, for instance. Bismarck. Lenin."
- Ender's Game
- p. 91 (Easton Press, 1993)