--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think opinions should be judged by…" description: "\"I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/benjamin-franklin-65_cases_i-think-opinions-should-be-judged-by-the_2276665.jpg" --- # I think opinions should be judged by their influences and… ![“I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/benjamin-franklin-65_cases_i-think-opinions-should-be-judged-by-the_2276665.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/benjamin-franklin-65_cases_i-think-opinions-should-be-judged-by-the_2276665.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7a/benjamin-franklin-65_cases_i-think-opinions-should-be-judged-by-the_2276665.jpg) > “I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me.” [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. Judging opinions by their impact, and noting lack of harmful views as a sign of virtue. **In simple terms:** Assess opinions by their effects; lack of harmful views suggests virtue. Key Takeaway Reflect on the influence of your beliefs. Themes virtue judgment influence Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal reflection - public discourse - leadership - policy making Key Concepts ethics consequentialism Questions to Reflect On - How do your beliefs affect others? - What harmless beliefs could be harmful? A Different Perspective May overlook subtle harms of seemingly neutral opinions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cases/) [Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Influences Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influences-effects-5297197/) [Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judged/) [Judged Influences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judged-influences-5297196/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinions/) [Opinions Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinions-judged-5297195/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Think Opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-opinions-293561/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Vicious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vicious/) [Virtuous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtuous/) ## Related quotes > [Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. 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