And the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men…. The sacred texts declared that “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

Benjamin Franklin

God Governs

Topic: Justice, Vision, & Leadership

Our prayers were heard, sir, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed the frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor…. And the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? The sacred texts declared that “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this.

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSE (January 17, 1706 - April 17, 1790) was an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and the University of Pennsylvania.

(1706-1790) American Civil Religion
Constitutional Convention 1787

Brands, H. W. The First American: the Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin. Anchor Books, 2002, p. 678 [Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention 1787].

Benjamin Franklin

Theme: A Vision of America

About This Benjamin Franklin Quotation [Commentary]

Benjamin Franklin’s statement to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 reflects a sober recognition that national life cannot endure on human effort alone. “And the longer I live,” he said, “the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.” Franklin pointed to “frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor” during the revolutionary struggle, suggesting that survival and political success were not merely matters of strategy or strength. Quoting scripture, he reminded the delegates, “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” For Franklin, the creation of government—especially one as fragile and uncertain as a new republic—could not proceed without the guidance and presence of something beyond human reason.

His concern was not merely spiritual, but practical. “If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice,” Franklin asked, “is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?” The rhetorical question pointed to a quiet confidence in divine oversight, but also a warning. Without “his concurring Aid,” Franklin feared their political efforts would end “no better than the Builders of Babel.” In that image, he saw the danger of “partial local interests,” internal division, and confusion—conditions that could turn their noble intentions into a cautionary tale. The success of their work depended not only on intellect and compromise, but on shared humility and openness to divine influence.

In the spirit of “A Vision of America,” Franklin accepted the Constitution “with all its faults—if they are such,” because he believed a general government was necessary. He acknowledged, “there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered,” grounding that possibility in the character of the people as much as in the structure of the state. Franklin’s words direct attention away from pride in human invention and toward the deeper truth that “God governs in the affairs of men.” The endurance of any political project, he believed, would ultimately depend on this recognition.

Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention 1787

“I’ve lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that except the Lord build the House they labor in vain who build it. I firmly believe this, — and I also believe that without his concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our Projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a Reproach and Bye word down to future Ages.

— Benjamin Franklin [Speech to the Constitutional Convention (28 June 1787); Manuscript notes by Franklin preserved in the Library of Congress].

“I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.”

— Benjamin Franklin [Speech in the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (September 17, 1787); reported in James Madison, Journal of the Federal Convention, ed. E. H. Scott (1893)] p. 741.

“In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, — if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered; and I believe, farther, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.”

— Benjamin Franklin [Speech to the Constitutional Convention (September 17, 1787); reported in James Madison, Journal of the Federal Convention, ed. E. H. Scott (1893)] p. 742.

At the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, a lady asked Franklin: “Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?”. Franklin replied: “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

— Benjamin Franklin [From a note by Dr. James McHenry. In a footnote he added that “The lady here alluded to was Mrs. Powel of Philada.” Published in The American Historical Review, v. 11] p. 618.

God Governs

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