America Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“I wish it were possible, from this instance, to invent a method of embalming drowned persons in such a manner that they may be recalled to life at any period, however distant; for having a very ardent desire to see and observe the state of America a hundred years hence, I should prefer to any ordinary death the being immersed in a cask of Madeira wine with a few friends till that time, to be then recalled to life by the solar warmth of my dear country!”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Letter to a Friend, 1770
He wishes to preserve himself to witness future America, using imaginative preservation and revival.
In simple terms: He wants to see America's future by being preserved.
Key Takeaway
Consider how you preserve your legacy.
Themes
future
preservation
curiosity
time travel
legacy
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
nostalgic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal memoirs
- historical research
- long‑term planning
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
mortality
historical perspective
technological imagination
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you preserve for future generations?
- How does longing for the future affect present actions?
A Different Perspective
Practical preservation cannot truly halt death or guarantee accurate future insight.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
