<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
who said we hold these truths to be self evident
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin