Glenn Beck has often compared himself to famous historical figures. Below are our top five examples.

5. Ben Franklin.

While discussing illegal immigration on the October 9, 2009, edition of his show, Beck said:

Isn't it odd that here we are, transforming the Constitution that they argued about in 1787, and we're having the same damn argument? It's -- now we have new slaves, illegal immigrants, being used the same by the same people, although conditions are not as bad as they were, but it's the same damn argument.

I know, I know. I'm going to be called a hatemonger for this, you know, conversation that we have, whatever. That's fine.

They also call people like Benjamin Franklin a hatemonger. Oh, and they said that he was crazy. I wonder if they've said that about me yet.

Yes, Benjamin Franklin was crazy. He was the first real abolitionist. Boy, that man stood up every single time, and in our modern day slavery, I will be happy to be called crazy, right along with Benjamin Franklin.

I'll stand right next to him and say, “They should not be counted! I know the game you're playing. They should not be counted. Illegal immigration is modern day slavery. It is for the special interests of politicians, of giant corporations and the unions. Raise the price of my salad, I'd rather have that and sleep at nice.”

4. Paul Revere.

On April 6, 2011, while discussing his plan to leave Fox News, Beck said:

I took the job two years ago because I thought I had something important to share. I really thought that if I could prove my case that something wicked this way was coming, something in America was wrong, America would listen and they have. I'm surprised at both the number that have and haven't, even with all of the facts.

When I took this job -- I didn't take it because it was going to be a career for me. Paul Revere did not get up on the horse and say, ha, I'm going to do this for the rest of my life. He didn't do it. He got off the horse at some point and fought in the Revolution and then he went back to silversmithing. If you have watched this program and you really -- I ask you at times -- hear me, you know what I believe is coming. If you watch tonight's show, I believe you know that I believe we're heading into deep and treacherous waters.

3. Thomas Paine.

While discussing the differences between the French and American Revolutions on February 18, 2010, Beck said:

Thomas Paine was kind of the -- oh, I don't know. My apologies to Thomas Paine, but kind of the me of the genera -- I mean, I can't think of anybody else. A guy just saying, “Hey, really, stand up. Come on. We can do it.” He was kind of the -- he was the media guy, really. He just did pamphlets, the rest of us just do TV.

2. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On January 17, 2011, discussing people who linked his rhetoric to the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Beck said:

Look, this isn't the first time that reality hasn't matched the script coming out of the mainstream media. Here we are today on Martin Luther King Day. I want to take you back to the 1960s when we start today. I want to take you back and ask a couple of questions.

Well, first of all, let me go here. What were they saying about Martin Luther King in the 1960s? The first thing they said about Martin Luther King was this: “He helped pave the way for violence, preaching civil disobedience,” all right? Another article said, quote, “We can't wonder what King's organization preaches and what it excoriates aren't in reality closely related.” And finally, quote, “Responsible people in Chicago have accused Martin Luther King and/or his staff members of stimulating violence, the type which led to the rioting charge is a valid one.”

Got it? So, here they are, blaming Martin Luther King. They're blaming him for the violence. That's the opposite of what he was.

But this is the establishment. This is the elitist view. It's what they wanted to print at the time. That was the script.

1. Jesus.

While discussing the “pledge” that Martin Luther King, Jr. “made everybody who marched with him” sign on April 21, 2010, Beck said

Now, Martin Luther King, he then made everybody who marched with him take a pledge and sign it -- a pledge of nonviolence and here it is.

[...]

Number three: Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.

I got news for you -- a long way away from that one. I haven't seen Jesus and what he would do in a talk show on FOX. It would be hard -- or on CNN or MSNBC. But I'm going to try.