--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I say it is impossible that so sensible a…" description: "\"I say it is impossible that so sensible a people [citizens of Paris], under such circumstances, should have lived so long by the smoky, unwholesome, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/benjamin-franklin-65_candle_i-say-it-is-impossible-that-so-sensible_2686132.png" --- # I say it is impossible that so sensible a people \[citizens… ![“I say it is impossible that so sensible a people [citizens of Paris], under such circumstances, should have lived so long by the smoky, unwholesome, and enormously expensive light of candles, if they had really known that they might have had as much pure light of the sun for nothing.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/benjamin-franklin-65_candle_i-say-it-is-impossible-that-so-sensible_2686132.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/benjamin-franklin-65_candle_i-say-it-is-impossible-that-so-sensible_2686132.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75d/benjamin-franklin-65_candle_i-say-it-is-impossible-that-so-sensible_2686132.png) > “I say it is impossible that so sensible a people \[citizens of Paris\], under such circumstances, should have lived so long by the smoky, unwholesome, and enormously expensive light of candles, if they had really known that they might have had as much pure light of the sun for nothing.” [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. Franklin critiques reliance on inefficient, costly lighting when natural sunlight is free and healthier. **In simple terms:** People waste money on candles instead of using free sunlight. Key Takeaway Embrace natural light to save money and health. Themes efficiency health economics Mood reflective critical Type historical advice When to use this quote - home lighting - urban planning - public health campaigns - environmental design Key Concepts energy consumption public health cost saving Questions to Reflect On - How can societies transition to more sustainable lighting? - What barriers exist to using natural light? A Different Perspective May ignore practicality of modern lighting needs in some contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Paris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paris/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Saving time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saving-time/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) ## Related quotes > [The reason why there is now no communist government in Paris is because in the circumstances of 1945 the Soviet army was not able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/the-reason-why-there-is-now-no-communist-government-in-paris-is/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [I was pretty young when I figured out that tying shoes could waste up three years of my life, so I dont wear shoes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-turner/i-was-pretty-young-when-i-figured-out-that-tying-shoes-could-waste-up/) [Ted Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-turner/) > [The world is divided into two kinds of people, those who spend a great deal of time saving money, and those who spend a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-cochrane/the-world-is-divided-into-two-kinds-of-people-those-who-spend-a-great/) Peter Cochrane > [An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/an-extra-yawn-one-morning-in-the-springtime-an-extra-snooze-one-night/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Saving time = wasting time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/behdad-sami/saving-time-wasting-time/) [Behdad Sami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/behdad-sami/) > [A life worth saving, is time worth giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-walters/a-life-worth-saving-is-time-worth-giving/) [Tim Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-walters/) > [Yesterday was not only daylight saving time, but also International Women's Day. What better way to address the issue of inequality for women than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/yesterday-was-not-only-daylight-saving-time-but-also-international/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [The beauty of daylight-saving time is that it just makes everyone feel sunnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-markey/the-beauty-of-daylight-saving-time-is-that-it-just-makes-everyone/) [Ed Markey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-markey/) > [The sun got confused about daylight savings time. It rose twice. Everything had two shadows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/the-sun-got-confused-about-daylight-savings-time-it-rose-twice/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [This is where our obsession with going fast and saving time leads. To road rage, air rage, shopping rage, relationship rage, office rage, vacation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-honor/this-is-where-our-obsession-with-going-fast-and-saving-time-leads-to/) [Carl Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-honor/) > [Saving time, it seems, has a primacy that's too rarely examined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-goodman/saving-time-it-seems-has-a-primacy-that-s-too-rarely-examined/) [Ellen Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-goodman/) > [The cost of a thing is what I call life which has to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-h-bradley/the-cost-of-a-thing-is-what-i-call-life-which-has-to-be-exchanged-for/) [F. H. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-h-bradley/) > [Why has time disappeared in our culture? How is it that after decades of inventions and new technologies devoted to saving time and labor,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-needleman/why-has-time-disappeared-in-our-culture-how-is-it-that-after-decades/) [Jacob Needleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-needleman/) > [The main problem with this great obsession for saving time is very simple: you can't save time. You can only spend it. But you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/the-main-problem-with-this-great-obsession-for-saving-time-is-very/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [“Saving time is so important that I'm not even going to finish this sen-it's lunchtime already? Yum yum.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-benzine/saving-time-is-so-important-that-i-m-not-even-going-to-finish-this/) [Craig Benzine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-benzine/) ## 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? 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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 Candle quotes > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-still-get-nervous-about-singing-i-drink-tea-with-honey-and-lemon/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. 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At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [Only by the candle, held in the skeleton hand of Poverty, can man read his own dark heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/only-by-the-candle-held-in-the-skeleton-hand-of-poverty-can-man-read/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night. I would be willing to go around the world if I came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-taber/traveling-is-all-very-well-if-you-can-get-home-at-night-i-would-be/) [Gladys Taber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-taber/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Two ways to be a light for all, is to be a flaming candle or the mirror that reflects it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/two-ways-to-be-a-light-for-all-is-to-be-a-flaming-candle-or-the/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [“Some will see your flame and want to blow it out...others will approach with a candle...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenita-vangellis/some-will-see-your-flame-and-want-to-blow-it-out-others-will-approach/) [Lenita Vangellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenita-vangellis/) > [So here I sit in the early candle-light of old age-I and my book-casting backward glances over out travel'd road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/so-here-i-sit-in-the-early-candle-light-of-old-age-i-and-my-book/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [I was eating beans by candle light for a decade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/i-was-eating-beans-by-candle-light-for-a-decade/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [The stars begin to fade like guttering candles and are snuffed out one by one. 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