<P> In 1776 the Second Continental Congress asked Benjamin Franklin , Thomas Jefferson , John Adams , Robert Livingston , and Roger Sherman to write the Declaration of Independence . This Committee of Five voted to have Thomas Jefferson write the document . After Jefferson finished he gave the document to Franklin to proof . Franklin suggested minor changes , and one of them stands out far more than the others . Jefferson had written , `` We hold these truths to be sacred and un-deniable ... '' Franklin changed it to , `` We hold these truths to be self - evident . '' </P>
<P> In 1776 the Second Continental Congress asked Benjamin Franklin , Thomas Jefferson , John Adams , Robert Livingston , and Roger Sherman to write the Declaration of Independence . This Committee of Five voted to have Thomas Jefferson write the document . After Jefferson finished he gave the document to Franklin to proof . Franklin suggested minor changes , and one of them stands out far more than the others . Jefferson had written , `` We hold these truths to be sacred and un-deniable ... '' Franklin changed it to , `` We hold these truths to be self - evident . '' </P>
who said we hold these truths to be self evident that all are created equal
who said we hold these truths to be self evident that all are created equal
Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin Thomas Jefferson