"The Worship of God is a Duty, the hearing and reading of Sermons may be useful; but if Men rest in Hearing and Praying, as too many do, it is as if a Tree should value itself on being water’d and putting forth Leaves, tho’ it never produced any Fruit."
Ben Franklin (the hundred dollar bill guy) in a letter to Joseph Huey dated June 6, 1753
2007-07-20 05:56:58 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think it is excellent. Whether or not you apply it to religion, it basically says that just going through the motions doesn't mean you are doing anything good. It's the same as saying "Just because you show up to work and get a paycheck, doesn't mean you are the reason the company is making money." You need to grow and produce and create.
2007-07-20 05:59:49 · answer #1 · answered by rhyno 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A great quote, not unlike the time Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit. A lot of people are like sponges, they take it all in but never produce anything until they are squeezed a little bit.
2007-07-20 13:20:20 · answer #2 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What do you think of this one!
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble.
As quoted in Benjamin Franklin: An Exploration of a Life of Science and Service (1938) by Carl Van Doren, p. 777
2007-07-20 13:02:19 · answer #3 · answered by UpChuck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is like man is the tree and watering is like man being watered with praying and bearing fruit is an action of the tree, just like man should take action to spread his knowledge of God
2007-07-20 13:01:50 · answer #4 · answered by papillongirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like it but I also liked Ben's comment that "It makes more sense to build lighthouses than churches."
2007-07-20 13:00:02 · answer #5 · answered by Keltasia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that to worship someting, isnt a duty, because alot of ppl dont even believe in god.
2007-07-20 12:59:42 · answer #6 · answered by sasha6321 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true. The worship of God is our purpose for being.
2007-07-20 13:00:22 · answer #7 · answered by Privratnik 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it means that when worthful people are doing what they are supposed to be doing, the people who aren't as worthful with benefit.
2007-07-20 13:00:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like ben franklin was a bit bitchy
2007-07-20 13:00:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Very wise and useless. You need a translater.
2007-07-20 13:01:10 · answer #10 · answered by The Rabbi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋