John Adams (TV Mini Series)

Independence (2008)

Tom Wilkinson: Benjamin Franklin

Photos 

Quotes 

• Edward Rutledge : Must you be so extreme, Dr. Franklin?

  Benjamin Franklin : [Wryly]  I'm an extreme moderate, Mr. Rutledge. I believe anybody not in favor of moderation and compromise ought to be castrated and that all this should be sent down to the... the Parliament for they seem to need - how should I put it? - stones.

  [He smiles broadly] 

• John Adams : Do you not believe in saying what you think?

  Benjamin Franklin : No, I'm very much against it. Thinking aloud is a habit responsible for much of mankind's misery.

• Benjamin Franklin : [to Adams]  I beg you to go gently. You are a guest in Philadelphia. Fish and guests stink after three days.

• Benjamin Franklin : Dr. Rush has been telling me...

  [Rush agrees] 

  Benjamin Franklin : ... that he has bled most of Philadelphia. He quite swears by the regenerative powers of desanuinization.

• Benjamin Franklin : Diplomacy is seduction in another guise, Mr. Adams. One improves with practice.

• Benjamin Franklin : Diplomacy is seduction in another guise Mr. Adams, one in brute practice.