On the record
There are even those, who, being present, can sympathize sincerely with the grief of a lady on the sudden death of a favourite bird; and yet can read of the sinking of a city in Syria with very little concern.
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gutenberg.orgBenjamin Franklin: “There are even those, who, being present, can sympathize sincerely with the grief of a lady on the sudden death of a…”
Editor's note · Context
Franklin highlights the disparity in emotional responses to personal versus global tragedies.
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More from Benjamin Franklin
Some manufactures we could make, but are forbidden, and must take them of British merchants: the whole price is a tax paid to Britain.
But when Britain values herself as affording us protection, we desire it may be considered, that we have followed her in all her wars, and joined with her at our own expence against all she thought fit to quarrel with.
That compelling the colonies to pay money without their consent, would be rather like raising contributions in an enemy's country, than taxing of Englishmen for their own public benefit.
The gaining of the back Indian trade from the French, by the navigation of the lakes, &c. would of itself greatly weaken our enemies:--it being now their principal support, it seems highly probable, that in time they must be subjected to…
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