When the fermentation is over and the troubling parts subsided, the wine will be fine and good, and cheer the hearts of those that drink it.41 Franklin was wrong, sadly wrong, about the French Revolution, though he would not live long enough to learn it. Le Veillard would soon lose his life to the guillotine. So would Lavoisier the chemist, who had worked with him on the Mesmer investigation. Condorcet, the economist who had accompanied
The process of fermentation, while tumultuous, ultimately leads to a fine wine that brings joy to its drinkers. This metaphor reflects Benjamin Franklin's thoughts on life and its challenges. However, Franklin's optimistic views on the French Revolution were misplaced, as he did not live to witness the dire consequences of the upheaval. His thoughts reveal a disconnect between hope for progress and the harsh realities that unfolded during that period.
