Affront Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“It might be judged an affront to your understanding should I go about to prove this first principle; the existence of a Diety and that He is the Creator of the universe, for that would suppose you ignorant of what all mankind in all ages have agreed in.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1791
He argues that proving God's existence would assume others' ignorance despite widespread belief.
In simple terms: Proving God assumes others are ignorant.
Key Takeaway
Respect shared beliefs before demanding proof.
Themes
faith
philosophy
humility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- debates on religion
- interfaith dialogue
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
theology
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- Do we need proof to respect belief?
- How does faith shape understanding?
A Different Perspective
Assumes universal agreement on deity, which may not exist.
