Constitution Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“Outside Independence Hall when the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended, Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."”
About This Quote
Franklin’s witty retort emphasizes that a republic requires active citizen maintenance, not passive acceptance.
In simple terms: A republic needs active upkeep.
Key Takeaway
Participate actively in governance.
Themes
politics
citizenship
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- voting
- community organizing
- education
Key Concepts
history
civic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions preserve a republic?
- How to engage citizens?
A Different Perspective
Maintenance is demanding.
![“In framing a system which we wish to last for ages, we shd. not lose sight of the changes which ages will produce. [James Madison in the U.S. Constitutional Convention, June 26, 1787. The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, ed. Max Farrand (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1966), 1:422.]” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/301/james-madison-373_constitution_in-framing-a-system-which-we-wish-to-las_2108455.jpg)
![“The great objects which presented themselves [to the Constitutional Convention] ... formed a task more difficult than can be well conceived by those who were not concerned in the execution of it. Adding to these considerations the natural diversity of human opinions on all new and complicated…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eb8/james-madison-373_complicated_the-great-objects-which-presented-themse_2985361.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
