On the record
I hold with you that it was wrong; may I add, that all descending honours are wrong and absurd; that the honour of virtuous actions appertains only to him that performs them, and is in its nature incommunicable.
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gutenberg.orgBenjamin Franklin: “I hold with you that it was wrong; may I add, that all descending honours are wrong and absurd; that the honour of…”
Editor's note · Context
Franklin argues against hereditary honors, emphasizing that virtue is inherent to the individual.
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More from Benjamin Franklin
As it is in my power, as far as my testimony will be regarded, to refute this charge, I think it due to our friendship to do it.
Yet had I gone at 70, it would have cut off 12 of the most active years of my life, employed too in matters of the greatest importance; but whether I have been doing good or mischief, is for time to discover.
May 8, 1753
Few of their Children in the Country learn English . . . The Signs in our Streets have Inscriptions in both Languages, and in some places only [their language] . . . In short, unless the Stream of their Importation could be turned…
But if I were in his place, and not otherwise instructed, I should be apt to say, Take your own time, gentlemen.
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