“Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.”
Explanation
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin affirms the dignity of poverty while criticizing the internalized shame that society often attaches to it. The first part, “having been poor is no shame,” emphasizes that poverty is not a moral failing, but a circumstance—often temporary and beyond one’s control. It should not diminish a person’s self-worth. The second part, “being ashamed of it, is,” turns the judgment inward, suggesting that feeling disgrace over one’s humble origins is both unnecessary and unjust.
Franklin’s life exemplified this principle. Born into a modest family and with little formal education, he rose through self-education, hard work, and frugality, becoming one of the most celebrated thinkers and statesmen of his time. His writings often reflected respect for the virtues developed through hardship—resilience, humility, and industry—and he believed that one’s character, not one’s background, defined success.
In today’s world, where wealth often equates to status and poverty can carry social stigma, Franklin’s quote is a reminder to honor one’s journey and reject shame born from circumstance. It urges both individuals and societies to view poverty with compassion, not contempt, and to recognize that self-respect should never be lost because of economic struggle—but can be lost by allowing shame to take its place.
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