American founding fathers Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it so that its professors are obliged to call for help of the civil power, 'tis a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Thoughts on Religion, 1775
A religion that cannot sustain itself without external political aid is likely flawed and dependent.
In simple terms: Self‑sustaining religion is good; dependent religion is bad.
Key Takeaway
Seek institutions that stand on their own merit.
Themes
religion
self‑reliance
politics
morality
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- community building
- policy making
- personal belief assessment
Key Concepts
institutional integrity
autonomy
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate a religion’s independence?
- What role should the state play in supporting faith?
A Different Perspective
Self‑sufficiency may be unrealistic for minority faiths.
