He seized the lightning from Heaven and the scepter from the Tyrants.
• Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, as quoted in The Monthly Anthology, and Boston Review (November 1803 - April 1804; 1811), p.167. This has also been quoted in several other variants of Latin or French expression, and been translated into English in various ways. Though it has probably incorrectly been cited as a remark of 1775, the earliest published reference to it appears to have occurred in April 1778.
• Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, as quoted in The Monthly Anthology, and Boston Review (November 1803 - April 1804; 1811), p.167. This has also been quoted in several other variants of Latin or French expression, and been translated into English in various ways. Though it has probably incorrectly been cited as a remark of 1775, the earliest published reference to it appears to have occurred in April 1778.
“
Eripuit Coelo fulmen, mox Sceptra Tyrannis.
— He seized the lightning from Heaven and the scepter from the Tyrants.
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Eripuit Coelo fulmen, mox Sceptra Tyrannis." in the context of "He seized the lightning from Heaven and the scepter from the Tyrants.
• Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, as quoted in The Monthly Anthology, and Boston Review (November 1803 - April 1804; 1811), p.167. This has also been quoted in several other variants of Latin or French expression, and been translated into English in various ways. Though it has probably incorrectly been cited as a remark of 1775, the earliest published reference to it appears to have occurred in April 1778." to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Benjamin Franklin" (Quotes about Franklin)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
About Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (17 January 1706 – 17 April 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and a diplomatic scientific and novice electrician; he was a major figure in the U.S. Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, for keeping bifocals fog-free, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and the University of Pennsylvania.
About Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (17 January 1706 – 17 April 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and a diplomatic scientific and novice electrician; he was a major figure in the U.S. Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, for keeping bifocals fog-free, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and the University of Pennsylvania.
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