bhaskar saikia

Benjamin Franklin, one of history’s sharpest minds, had a way of putting profound truths in deceptively simple words. Consider these:

“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”
“If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.”

The first quote is both humorous and humbling. Ignorance is universal; it is the default state of humanity. None of us arrive in this world fully armed with knowledge. But Franklin reminds us that stupidity is a choice. It is a refusal to learn, to question, to challenge oneself. In a world overflowing with information, remaining uninformed—or worse, uncurious—is not only a personal loss but a social one. Growth demands effort, reflection, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths.

The second quote is equally piercing. Group-think, conformity, and the desire to “fit in” can dull our intellectual edge. If everyone is echoing the same thoughts, no real thinking occurs. Progress—scientific, social, or personal—thrives on diversity of thought, on dissent, on the willingness to see the world differently from the majority. To think differently is often uncomfortable, even lonely, but it is essential for innovation, understanding, and meaningful change.

Taken together, Franklin’s words urge us to embrace two principles: never stop learning, and never stop thinking for yourself. Ignorance may be our birthright, but curiosity is our responsibility. Stupidity is not inevitable; it is a path we choose if we surrender to the comfort of sameness.

In a world where ideas move faster than ever, the greatest rebellion is simple: think.