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Question: Why do we quote some famous people as if their word was Gospel!?
For example the "Liberty/safety" quote that Benjamin Franklin said has been misquoted and quoted out of context for a dozen reasons, Lincoln has been quoted as if he were an abolitionist, when all he wanted was to preserve the Union, whether slavery endured or not, Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac has been quoted as the epitome of morality(God forbid anyone should quote the Bible these days!) When Franklin was a huge man-ho, I could go on!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
maybe it's not so much about the person who said it as much as it is about the idea itself!. there are just certain things that people have said that seem to get right to the heart of it!. the kind of quotes that seem almost divine; and you wonder how you didn't think of it before!. i don't know, i wouldn't say that i consider them gospel, but there are definitely quotes i hear that just make me think, "god, that's so true!" and that really speak to me!. maybe that's what it is!. those quotes speak to the part of us that keeps us connected!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Many quotes are ubiquitous , catchy, and in some instances, ingrained into pop culture!. E!.g!. "There is nothing to fear but fear itself" ; John 3:16 (the actual verse); etc!. At times, people put their own agenda behind someone else's quote/s!. It is a good idea to be skeptical and think things over for yourself!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Quotations of famous people are used because of the powerful words and meaning it brings!. Quotations must be careful used exactly as what they mean!. Otherwise we are misquoting these famous writers!.

Thanks for asking!. Have a great day!Www@QuestionHome@Com

The famous people you use as examples were famous for the right reasons and their quotes are used to make a point, what's wrong with that!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

i agree with you!.!. you know what even if it does make sense and has some great values, i don't use it as my bases of life!.!. i make my own quotes and philosophy!!. though i admit i appreciate their thoughts!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

sometimes its all we have,words dont come close to describing actual reality,so we use other more sisinct means,metaphor if you like!.
quotes to others!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you have an axe to grind, this is not the forum!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I guess because those words has impacted us in some way!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, if it makes sense, why not!?

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Cause we admire them for the things they said or did!?Www@QuestionHome@Com