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Benjamin Franklin, Epitaph on Himself. Written in 1728. Revised by himself from an earlier one.
• John Davis, in Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America, gives similar epitaph in Latin, said to have been written by "An Eton scholar"; reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 230.
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The body of Benjamin Franklin, Printer, (Like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stript of its lettering and gilding), Lies here, food for worms; But the work shall not be lost, for it will (as he believed) appear once more in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the author.

— Benjamin Franklin on Epitaphs

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "The body of Benjamin Franklin, Printer, (Like the cover of an old book, its contents torn out and stript of its lettering and gilding), Lies here, food for worms; But the work shall not be lost, for it will (as he believed) appear once more in a new and more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the author." in the context of "Benjamin Franklin, Epitaph on Himself. Written in 1728. Revised by himself from an earlier one.
• John Davis, in Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America, gives similar epitaph in Latin, said to have been written by "An Eton scholar"; reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 230." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Quote Image
Source: Wikiquote: "Epitaphs" (Quotes about epitaphs, Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations: Quotes reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 229-35.) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app

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#Benjamin Franklin#lettering#corrected#benjamin#franklin#contents#believed#printer#gilding#elegant#edition#revised
Benjamin Franklin

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.