John Hancock the President of Congress, called Benjamin Franklin aside after The Declaration of Independence had been signed.

Hancock told Franklin in their meeting: “We have an important assignment for you.”

Franklin responded: “I am too old to be a soldier.”

John Hancock corrected him, saying: “No, no, we want you to be our new Minister to France.”

“Oh, that’s all right,” quipped Franklin, “A soldier has to die for his country, but a diplomat only has to lie for his country.”

Benjamin Franklin went on to be a very able and successful representative of the new United States of America.