Benjamin Franklin and That Quote
Thursday January 4, 2007
Chances are you've seen the quote attributed to Ben Franklin about beer being proof that God loves us. And chances are equally good that you've heard someone claim that he never really said it. If you're anything like me you probably made a mental note to look into it sometime, "When I get a chance."
Well, Bob Skilnik, author of the soon to be released Beer & Food - An American History, has issued a challenge for somebody, anybody to prove that Franklin ever actually uttered these words. So, are you up to it? If you have something that you think proves it send it in to me and I'll forward it on to Bob.
Frankly, I think that this is one of the many nice but false - or at least unprovable - "facts" that float around in the beer world. I'd love to be proven wrong, though!
Well, Bob Skilnik, author of the soon to be released Beer & Food - An American History, has issued a challenge for somebody, anybody to prove that Franklin ever actually uttered these words. So, are you up to it? If you have something that you think proves it send it in to me and I'll forward it on to Bob.
Frankly, I think that this is one of the many nice but false - or at least unprovable - "facts" that float around in the beer world. I'd love to be proven wrong, though!
Comments
I’d tend to agree, Bryce … nice, but probably not wholly accurate. It’s funny that the quote is morphed accordingly, depending on who you ask. If you’re a wine snob, it’s “Wine is proof …”, if you’re a beer aficionado, it’s “Beer is proof … ” Either way, it’s TRUE regardless of whether or not Ben Franklin ever uttered the words.
Bob Skilnik actually left a number of comments on my blog in response to my entry about his quote. At the very least, they should be interesting to read.
This is what he actually said
Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.
What the hell is the problem here? Someone just ask him if he said it, and if he didn’t than someone will force him to.