“Admiration is the daughter of ignorance.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“Admiration is the daughter of ignorance.”
Explanation
In this concise and provocative statement, Benjamin Franklin suggests that admiration often stems from a lack of understanding. By calling admiration the “daughter of ignorance,” he implies that we tend to overvalue or idealize things we do not fully comprehend. This challenges the idea that admiration is always a mark of discernment, proposing instead that it may arise from naivety or insufficient knowledge.
Franklin, a champion of reason and skepticism during the Enlightenment, frequently warned against blind reverence—whether for authority, tradition, or fame. In this quote, he encourages a spirit of critical inquiry, reminding his audience that genuine respect should be based on understanding, not mystique. His own scientific work and political philosophy were built on questioning assumptions and seeking truth through evidence and analysis.
In today’s world of celebrity culture, viral fame, and curated online personas, Franklin’s observation is especially timely. People often admire public figures, products, or ideologies without examining them deeply. His quote urges us to look beyond surface impressions, to educate ourselves, and to replace passive admiration with thoughtful evaluation. Only through knowledge can admiration be transformed from a reaction of ignorance into a judgment of wisdom.
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