Quote#Self
At present I shall only give you my Opinion that tho' your Reasonings…
Quote byBenjamin Franklin · 1706–1790
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Epistles, Letter to unknown recipient (13 December 1757). The letter was published as early as 1817 (William Temple Franklin, The Works of Benjamin Franklin, volume VI, pp. 243-244). In 1833 William Wisner ("Don't Unchain the Tiger," American Tract Society, 1833) identified the recipient as probably.
English (original)
At present I shall only give you my Opinion that tho' your Reasonings are subtle, and may prevail with some Readers, you will not succeed so as to change the general Sentiments of Mankind on that Subject, and the Consequence of printing this Piece will be a great deal of Odium drawn upon your self, Mischief to you and no Benefit to others. He that spits against the Wind, spits in his own Face.
— Benjamin Franklin
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