--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor…" description: "\"A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy - \"A republic,\" replied the Doctor, \"if you can keep it.\"\" — Benjamin F..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/benjamin-franklin-65_constitutional-conve_a-lady-asked-dr-franklin-well-doctor-wha_827291.png" --- # A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a… ![“A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy - "A republic," replied the Doctor, "if you can keep it."” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/benjamin-franklin-65_constitutional-conve_a-lady-asked-dr-franklin-well-doctor-wha_827291.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/benjamin-franklin-65_constitutional-conve_a-lady-asked-dr-franklin-well-doctor-wha_827291.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/benjamin-franklin-65_constitutional-conve_a-lady-asked-dr-franklin-well-doctor-wha_827291.png) > “A lady asked Dr. Franklin Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy - "A republic," replied the Doctor, "if you can keep it."” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote rephrases a classic political warning, urging vigilance in preserving a republic, implying that its survival depends on active citizen involvement. **In simple terms:** A republic must be actively maintained. Key Takeaway Guard and sustain democratic institutions. Themes politics citizenship responsibility Mood serious encouraging Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - voting - public discourse - community activism Key Concepts republic governance civic duty Questions to Reflect On - What actions keep a republic healthy? - How does citizen engagement affect governance? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitutional convention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutional-convention/) [Constitutional monarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitutional-monarchy/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Monarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monarchy/) [Republic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republic/) ## Related quotes > [“He did not understand how men could busy themselves with hating each other because of silly stuff like the charter, democracy, legitimacy, monarchy, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-did-not-understand-how-men-could-busy-themselves-with-hating-each/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [The state is nothing but an instrument of opression of one class by another - no less so in a democratic republic than in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/the-state-is-nothing-but-an-instrument-of-opression-of-one-class-by/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) > [People think they have taken quite an extraordinarily bold step forward when they have rid themselves of belief in hereditary monarchy and swear by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/people-think-they-have-taken-quite-an-extraordinarily-bold-step/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) > [“What does this Doctor Taylor look like, Ryan?” “I hardly feel that’s relevant, sir,” he prevaricated. “On the contrary, I believe it could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-ross/what-does-this-doctor-taylor-look-like-ryan-i-hardly-feel-that-s/) [L.J. Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-ross/) > [“I hate guns," replied the Doctor. "Which isn't to say that a bit of fantasy violence can't be therapeutic.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-rayner/i-hate-guns-replied-the-doctor-which-isn-t-to-say-that-a-bit-of/) [Jacqueline Rayner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-rayner/) > [“Once, an elderly general practitioner consulted me because of his severe depression. He could not overcome the loss of his wife who had died…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-e-frankl/once-an-elderly-general-practitioner-consulted-me-because-of-his/) [Viktor E. Frankl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viktor-e-frankl/) > [Outside Independence Hall when the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended, Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/outside-independence-hall-when-the-constitutional-convention-of-1787-2/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-lived-sir-a-long-time-and-the-longer-i-live-the-more/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/we-have-been-assured-sir-in-the-sacred-writings-that-except-the-lord/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-lived-sir-a-long-time-and-the-longer-i-live-the-more-2/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The United States Constitutional Convention, except for three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-united-states-constitutional-convention-except-for-three-or-four/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-therefore-beg-leave-to-move-that-henceforth-prayers-imploring-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I firmly believe this ... that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the builders of Babel:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-firmly-believe-this-that-without-his-concurring-aid-we-shall/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Outside Independence Hall when the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/outside-independence-hall-when-the-constitutional-convention-of-1787/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The Sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy such as ours, three rights - the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bagehot/the-sovereign-has-under-a-constitutional-monarchy-such-as-ours-three/) [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-the-affairs-of-this-world-men-are-saved-not-by-faith-but-by-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [By heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-heaven-we-understand-a-state-of-happiness-infinite-in-degree-and/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/how-do-you-become-better-tomorrow-by-improving-yourself-the-world-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Little leaks sink the ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/little-leaks-sink-the-ship/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/who-is-rich-he-that-is-content-who-is-that-nobody/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“But on the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/but-on-the-whole-though-i-never-arrived-at-the-perfection-i-had-been/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-good-particular-men-may-do-separately-in-relieving-the-sick-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that's secure is not safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-s-secure-is-not-safe/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Explore all 1,692 Benjamin Franklin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More Constitutional convention quotes > [ \[James\] Madison pointed out in the discussion of the constitutional debates - the constitutional convention - that democracy would be a danger. He used… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/james-madison-pointed-out-in-the-discussion-of-the-constitutional/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“In framing that great document which Gladstone declared ‘the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/in-framing-that-great-document-which-gladstone-declared-the-most/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [No morn ever dawned more favorable than ours did; and no day was every more clouded than the present! Wisdom, and good examples are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/no-morn-ever-dawned-more-favorable-than-ours-did-and-no-day-was-every/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“Treason the only crime defined in the Constitution. Tyranny as under the Stuart and Tudor kings characterized by the elimination of political dissent under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-doctorow-2/treason-the-only-crime-defined-in-the-constitution-tyranny-as-under/) [E.L. Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-doctorow-2/) > [Outside Independence Hall when the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/outside-independence-hall-when-the-constitutional-convention-of-1787/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I am exceedingly distressed at the proceedings of the Convention-being ... almost sure, they will ... lay the foundation of a Civil War.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbridge-gerry/i-am-exceedingly-distressed-at-the-proceedings-of-the-convention/) [Elbridge Gerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbridge-gerry/) > [I firmly believe this ... that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the builders of Babel:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-firmly-believe-this-that-without-his-concurring-aid-we-shall/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-therefore-beg-leave-to-move-that-henceforth-prayers-imploring-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“By their actions, the Founding Fathers made clear that their primary concern was religious freedom, not the advancement of a state religion. Individuals, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-t-lambert/by-their-actions-the-founding-fathers-made-clear-that-their-primary/) Franklin T. 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