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FO-From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 July 1771.md

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FO-From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 July 1771

6 reprints from 1771-07-17 to 1854-11-09

FO-From Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, 17 July 1771

by Franklin, Benjamin

From unknown source

1771-07-17

e are Objections to the Doctrine of Pre-existence: But it seems to have been invented with a good Intention, to save the Honour of the Deity, which was thought to be injured by the Supposition of his bringing Creatures into the World to be miserable, without any previous misbehaviour of theirs to deserve it. This, however, is perhaps an officious Supporting of the Ark, without being call’d to such Service. Where he has thought fit to draw a Veil, our Attempting to remove it may be deem’d at least an offensive Impertinence. And we shall probably succeed little better in such an Adventure to gain forbidden Knowledge, than our first Parents did when they ate the Apple.
I meant no more by saying Mankind were Devils to one another than that being in general superior to the Malice of the other Creatures, they were not so much tormented by them as by themselves. Upon the whole I am much disposed to like the World as I find it, and to doubt my own Judgment as to what would mend it. I see so much Wisdom in what I understand of its Creation and Government, that I suspect equal Wisdom may be in what I do not understand.

FRANKLIN'S FAMILY LETTERS.

From New York Observer and Chronicle (1833-1912)

1833-06-15 · New York

[This text is not available under an open license.]

From Christian secretary.

1833-07-13 · Hartford [Conn.]

“fam much disposed to like the world as I find it,
and to doubt my own judgment as to what would
mend it. | see so much wisdom, as to what | under-
stand of its creation and government, that I suspect
equal wisdom may be in what I do not understand.”

 Page image

From Christian Watchman (1819-1848)

1833-07-19 · Boston

this collection of letters, as they
will be rea

———

excerpts irom $
were not written for the public eye,
ith interest :—
“a am much disposed to like the world as I
find it, and to doubt my own judgment as to what
would mend it. I see so much wisdom, as to
what | understand of its creation and governme 7
that I suspect equal wisdom may be i what
do not understand.

 Page image

From The Advocate of Science (1833-1834)

1833-08-29 · Philadelphia

‘all things lost on earth are treasured there 7?-—ou which SOME ye

observed, there must then be in the moon a great deal of

4 JU | uj
vice.”

There is a good tesson contained in the following remar)..

  • Upon the whole Lam much disposed to like the world as [ fiy)}
    and to doubt my own judgment as to what would mend it. | oy
    so much wisdom, as to what Lunderstand of its creation and govery,
    ment, that L suspect equal wisdom may be in what Edo not unde.
    stand.”
 Page image

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S OPINION

From New York Observer and Chronicle (1833-1912)

1854-11-09 · New York

[This text is not available under an open license.]