Discourses Quote by Benjamin Franklin
““discourses were chiefly either polemic arguments or explications of the peculiar doctrines of our sect, and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and unedifying, since not a single moral principle was inculcated or enforced, their aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than good””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1791
Franklin criticizes the sect's lectures for being dry, lacking moral teaching, and focusing on doctrine over character formation.
In simple terms: He found the talks boring and unhelpful because they taught no morals.
Key Takeaway
Seek teachings that build character, not just doctrine.
Themes
education
religion
morality
communication
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- church sermons
- study groups
- religious education
- personal development
Key Concepts
didacticism
moral philosophy
sectarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance doctrinal depth with moral instruction?
- What role should moral teaching play in religious discourse?
A Different Perspective
Such lectures may still be valuable for intellectual rigor despite lacking moral focus.
