“As we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“As we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously.”
Explanation
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin articulates a vision of intellectual generosity and social responsibility. He reminds us that much of what we enjoy in life—scientific discoveries, tools, and innovations—comes from the work of others, often offered without personal gain. Therefore, when we create something of value, we ought to share it freely and generously, continuing the cycle of collective progress and human betterment.
This principle is not theoretical for Franklin; it reflects how he lived. He famously refused to patent many of his inventions, such as the Franklin stove and bifocal glasses, because he believed that knowledge and innovation should benefit society, not merely enrich the individual. This Enlightenment-era ideal reflects his broader belief in civic virtue and the common good, seeing science and invention as tools for uplifting humanity rather than vehicles for private profit.
In the modern world—dominated by intellectual property rights, patents, and commercial competition—Franklin’s message remains both challenging and inspiring. It calls us to reflect on how innovation can be used not only for profit but for service, collaboration, and the advancement of all. Whether in open-source software, medical research, or education, his quote reminds us that the highest purpose of invention is to give back—just as we have received.
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