“Danger is sauce for prayers.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“Danger is sauce for prayers.”
Explanation
With this brief yet pungent metaphor, Benjamin Franklin suggests that danger intensifies religious devotion, just as sauce heightens the flavor of food. The idea is that in times of fear or crisis, people are more likely to turn to prayer or seek divine intervention, whereas in safety and comfort, spiritual fervor often diminishes. This reflects Franklin’s keen understanding of human behavior, especially our tendency to remember faith only when confronted by hardship.
As a product of the Enlightenment, Franklin was both skeptical of religious dogma and appreciative of religion’s social and moral value. This quote, likely penned with some irony, echoes his belief that many people’s faith is situational rather than steadfast. In his writings and public commentary, he often pointed out how adversity brings about humility and reflection, making this observation both humorous and deeply true.
In the modern world, the sentiment remains relevant. Crises—be they personal, national, or global—frequently lead to renewed religious sentiment or spiritual searching. From war zones to hospital beds, danger often prompts people to confront mortality and meaning. Franklin’s quote reminds us that urgent circumstances often rekindle beliefs or values that lie dormant in calmer times, illustrating the complex relationship between fear, faith, and human nature.
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