--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That bodies should be lent us, while they…" description: "\"“That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb5/benjamin-franklin-65_acquiring-knowledge_that-bodies-should-be-lent-us-while-they_3222437.jpg" --- # That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us… ![“That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God - when they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure-instead of an aid, become an encumbrance…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb5/benjamin-franklin-65_acquiring-knowledge_that-bodies-should-be-lent-us-while-they_3222437.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb5/benjamin-franklin-65_acquiring-knowledge_that-bodies-should-be-lent-us-while-they_3222437.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eb5/benjamin-franklin-65_acquiring-knowledge_that-bodies-should-be-lent-us-while-they_3222437.jpg) > ““That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God - when they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure-instead of an aid, become an encumbrance and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way.”” [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 argues that when bodies no longer serve pleasure or good, ending them is a merciful act of God. **In simple terms:** When life ceases to bring benefit, death is a kind release. Key Takeaway Recognize when suffering outweighs purpose. Themes ethics life death compassion Mood reflective somber Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - medical euthanasia - end‑of‑life care - animal welfare - philosophical debate Key Concepts utilitarianism human dignity Questions to Reflect On - Is ending suffering always merciful? - Who decides when life becomes a burden? A Different Perspective May overlook individual rights or societal values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquiring knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquiring-knowledge/) [Benevolent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolent/) [Benevolent Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolent-act-353234/) [Benevolent Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benevolent-way-2637584/) [Bodies Lent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bodies-lent-5849035/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Doing good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-good/) [Kind Benevolent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind-benevolent-5849034/) ## Related quotes > [We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us while they afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge or in doing good to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/we-are-spirits-that-bodies-should-be-lent-us-while-they-afford-us/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [How quickly a truly benevolent act is repaid by the consciousness of having done it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hosea-ballou/how-quickly-a-truly-benevolent-act-is-repaid-by-the-consciousness-of/) [Hosea Ballou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hosea-ballou/) > [I always found that if you handle a problem in a benevolent way and a transparent way and involve other people, so it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-m-kelley/i-always-found-that-if-you-handle-a-problem-in-a-benevolent-way-and-a/) [David M. Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-m-kelley/) > [If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-i-knew-a-miser-who-gave-up-every-kind-of-comfortable-living-all/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [A perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/a-perfect-character-might-be-attended-with-the-inconvenience-of-being/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Learning isn't acquiring knowledge so much as it is trimming information that has already been acquired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/learning-isn-t-acquiring-knowledge-so-much-as-it-is-trimming/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Your children should have it impressed upon them that their adult life-style will bear very little resemblance to yours and that they should now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-ehrlich/your-children-should-have-it-impressed-upon-them-that-their-adult/) [Paul R. Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-r-ehrlich/) > [I'm in the mode of acquiring knowledge and relationships on the business side and it's paramount that you learn as much as you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-dinwiddie/i-m-in-the-mode-of-acquiring-knowledge-and-relationships-on-the/) [Spencer Dinwiddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-dinwiddie/) > [The outlines of the needed psychology of becoming can be discovered by looking within ourselves; for it is knowledge of our own uniqueness that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-outlines-of-the-needed-psychology-of-becoming-can-be-discovered/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Productiveness is your acceptance of morality, your recognition of the fact that you choose to live-that productive work is the process by which man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/productiveness-is-your-acceptance-of-morality-your-recognition-of-the/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [If four things are followed - having a great aim, acquiring knowledge, hard work, and perseverance - then anything can be achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-p-j-abdul-kalam/if-four-things-are-followed-having-a-great-aim-acquiring-knowledge/) [A. P. J. Abdul Kalam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-p-j-abdul-kalam/) > [I think it is totally wrong and terribly harmful if education is defined as acquiring knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-glasser/i-think-it-is-totally-wrong-and-terribly-harmful-if-education-is/) [William Glasser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-glasser/) > [Acquiring knowledge is a form of imitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/acquiring-knowledge-is-a-form-of-imitation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Science has to be understood in its broadest sense, as a method for apprehending all observable reality, and not merely as an instrument for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-carrel/science-has-to-be-understood-in-its-broadest-sense-as-a-method-for/) [Alexis Carrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-carrel/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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 Acquiring knowledge quotes > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Science has to be understood in its broadest sense, as a method for apprehending all observable reality, and not merely as an instrument for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-carrel/science-has-to-be-understood-in-its-broadest-sense-as-a-method-for/) [Alexis Carrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-carrel/) > [Acquiring knowledge is a form of imitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/acquiring-knowledge-is-a-form-of-imitation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think it is totally wrong and terribly harmful if education is defined as acquiring knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-glasser/i-think-it-is-totally-wrong-and-terribly-harmful-if-education-is/) [William Glasser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-glasser/) > [If four things are followed - having a great aim, acquiring knowledge, hard work, and perseverance - then anything can be achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-p-j-abdul-kalam/if-four-things-are-followed-having-a-great-aim-acquiring-knowledge/) [A. P. J. Abdul Kalam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-p-j-abdul-kalam/) > [Productiveness is your acceptance of morality, your recognition of the fact that you choose to live-that productive work is the process by which man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/productiveness-is-your-acceptance-of-morality-your-recognition-of-the/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [The outlines of the needed psychology of becoming can be discovered by looking within ourselves; for it is knowledge of our own uniqueness that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-outlines-of-the-needed-psychology-of-becoming-can-be-discovered/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm in the mode of acquiring knowledge and relationships on the business side and it's paramount that you learn as much as you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-dinwiddie/i-m-in-the-mode-of-acquiring-knowledge-and-relationships-on-the/) [Spencer Dinwiddie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-dinwiddie/) > [Your children should have it impressed upon them that their adult life-style will bear very little resemblance to yours and that they should now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-r-ehrlich/your-children-should-have-it-impressed-upon-them-that-their-adult/) [Paul R. Ehrlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-r-ehrlich/) > [Learning isn't acquiring knowledge so much as it is trimming information that has already been acquired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/learning-isn-t-acquiring-knowledge-so-much-as-it-is-trimming/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [It is not my prayer and humility that you cause things to go as you wish, but by acquiring a knowledge of natural laws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/it-is-not-my-prayer-and-humility-that-you-cause-things-to-go-as-you/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [All the knowledge that I have doesn't necessarily make me brilliant, but I love acquiring knowledge and then sharing it with everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/all-the-knowledge-that-i-have-doesn-t-necessarily-make-me-brilliant/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [Man is essentially ignorant, and becomes learned through acquiring knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-khaldun/man-is-essentially-ignorant-and-becomes-learned-through-acquiring/) [Ibn Khaldun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-khaldun/) > [As long as acquiring knowledge is the educational goal of schools, educational opportunities will be limited, as they are now, to affluent families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-glasser/as-long-as-acquiring-knowledge-is-the-educational-goal-of-schools/) [William Glasser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-glasser/) > [“Insight: all evaluation is made from a definite perspective: that of the preservation of the individual, a community, a race, a state, a church,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/insight-all-evaluation-is-made-from-a-definite-perspective-that-of/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) [Browse all 43 Acquiring knowledge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquiring-knowledge/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God - when they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure-instead of an aid, become an encumbrance and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. 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