“We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under heaven. Every man among us reads, and is so easy in his circumstances as to have leisure for conversations of improvement and for acquiring information.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under heaven. Every man among us reads, and is so easy in his circumstances as to have leisure for conversations of improvement and for acquiring information.”
Explanation
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin expresses pride in the political awareness and intellectual engagement of the American people. By stating that Americans are “more thoroughly an enlightened people,” he underscores the idea that education, civic participation, and access to information are widespread and vital to the strength of the republic. The reference to “every man among us reads” highlights the democratic nature of literacy and the accessibility of knowledge.
Franklin’s words reflect the Enlightenment ideals of the 18th century, which emphasized reason, education, and informed discourse as foundations for a just society. As a printer, writer, and founder of public institutions such as libraries and universities, Franklin deeply believed that a well-informed citizenry was essential for a functioning democracy. The prosperity he notes—citizens being “easy in their circumstances”—also suggests that economic stability allows for intellectual growth and civic dialogue.
In a modern context, this quote reminds us of the importance of maintaining an educated and engaged public. In an age of misinformation, social media echo chambers, and political polarization, Franklin’s vision remains aspirational. A healthy democracy depends on citizens who read widely, think critically, and take time for thoughtful conversation. His words serve both as a celebration of past progress and a call to preserve these values in the present.
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