Benjamin Franklin Quotes

To grow mature is to separate more distinctly, to connect more closely.

The gentleman asks, when were the colonies emancipated? But I desire to know, when were they made slaves

That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

In another century all Europe will not be able to subdue us. The only way to keep us from setting up for ourselves is to disunite us.

Our celestial empire possesses all things in prolific abundance and lacks no products within its own borders. There is therefore no need to import the manufactures of outside barbarians.

The mantle of the pioneers has fallen on our shoulders.

The rebellious war now levied is become more general, and is manifestly carried out for the purpose of establishing an independent empire.

Along with independence of India from the British Colonial rule, physical and mental development of masses is necessary for rebuilding the nation

We don't go for segregation. We go for separation. Separation is when you have your own. You control your own economy; you control your own politics; you control your own society; you control your own everything.

If England became a world power, it was because of the industrial revolution.

The dependence of one people upon another, even for the benefits of legislation, is the deepest source of national weakness.

My kids learned to be independent.

The reality about being economically dependent on someone else usually doesn't work out for women in the end. It's about being an adult and being responsible for your life. Most women have to work, so let's just get on with it.

When two countries are connected together, like England and her colonies, without being incorporated, the one must necessarily govern; the greater must rule the less; but so rule it, as not to contradict the fundamental principles that are common to both.

A nation's strength ultimately consists in what it can do on its own, and not in what it can borrow from others.

Each nation has to find its own path and follow that path at its own speed.

Independence now and independence forever.

I hope we shall never be disposed to offer to join the United States. They will display a great reluctance to take us but I believe we have a future of our own here.

The government should not present the anomaly which it now presents—a government the freest, perhaps the most democratic in the world with reference to local and domestic matters in which you rule yourselves as fully as any people in the world, while in your foreign affairs, your relations with other countries, whether peaceful or warlike, commercial, financial, or otherwise, you may have no more voice than the people of Japan.

the cornerstone of our foreign policy. But that does not entail a passive or submissive acceptance of political, economic, or cultural dependence.

… splendid isolation

Always keep in mind that in separating the United States from Great Britain, it is above all their commerce we want.

The British courtiers are ridiculing our situation very much and tell Mr. [John] Adams [then Secretary of State], in a sneering manner, when America shall assume some kind of government then England will speak to her.

A State which dwarfs its men, in order that they may be more docile instruments in its hands even for beneficial purposes—will find that with small men, no great thing can really be accomplished.

Progress includes Order, but Order does not include Progress.