13 Virtue In Benjamin Franklin's 7 Habits

737 Words2 Pages

In a world of adversity, Chris Gardner and his son Christopher fought through trials and tribulations just to make ends meet. In the movie Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner refused to give up hope as he held on to the strength of his creation of a bone density scanner. In every part of this movie Gardner portrayed many of Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues; As well as demonstrating the use of Covey's 7 Habits. Chris Gardner represented many of Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues throughout his struggling story; But the virtues that stood out heavily was tranquility and industry. Tranquility is defined as "Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable" according to PBS (PBS, n.d.). In simpler words, tranquility is shown as remaining …show more content…

A great aspect Chris Gardner aligned with in Benjamin Franklin's story was never giving up. Franklin believed in himself when others doubted that he would be successful with the printing house; The narrator stated, “he said he was sorry for me, for Philadelphia was a sinking place, the people already half bankrupts,” (Franklin,1996, pg.45). Being knowledge of his own strength and weakness, Gardner didn’t let any investors belittle him or take his creation for granted. By doing this Chris Gardner upholds the virtue of tranquility well. Covey’s (1989) first habit is prominent in Chris Gardner’s story as well. The first habit “Be Proactive, Personal Vision,” stated that “Fosters courage to take risks and accept new challenges to achieve goals” (pg.8). As previously said Chris Gardner’s life is a testimony to the saying, “What matters the most is how we respond to what we experience in life” (Convey, 1989, pg.1). The circumstances of Chris’s family became worse and worse but he continued to keep his faith and push on. Responding positive to the state of …show more content…

23 Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of 'The Downside Of Grit' By Alfie Kohn

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    Important goals about life have changed significantly suggests Kohn. With goals comes the ability to be persistent, the author mentions. He describes that persistence is one characteristic among many that could become valuable when wanting to reach a goal,

    Read More

  • Allusions In Flowers For Algernon

    443 Words  | 1 Pages

    Wisdom: Is it worth the consequences that might come with it? In the eye-opening short story, “Flowers For Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, Charlie Gordon is a mentally challenged man who is given the choice of a surgery which will assist him in becoming exceptionally smart. He takes the offer because the chance to gain knowledge is all he has ever wanted. Adam and Eve are people living in literal paradise. Although they have all of the resources needed to live a life that is free of misfortune, they eat the fruit of a tree, knowing it will open their eyes beyond their current conscious state.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Franklin And Robert Fulghum's List Of Virtues

    94 Words  | 1 Pages

    Robert Fulghum’s list of things learned in kindergarten and Ben Franklin’s list of virtues both apply to morality and relationships. They both show how to live with good morals and conduct. Fulghum’s list applies more to the relationships of people today, while Franklin’s applies to relationships at any age. Franklin's scheme for arriving at moral perfection relates to self-help books because both benefit people and help them to better themselves in life. To summarize, Robert Fulghum’s list of things learned in kindergarten and Ben Franklin’s list of virtues both apply to morality and relationships

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin, His Talents and Shortcomings

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin, through hard work and perseverance, transformed himself into a philosopher, diplomat, inventor, writer, and scientist. (SOURCE) Franklin’s contributions and ideas significantly encouraged major progress in the development our country and improvements that continue to affect society. He showed that with a strong desire and honest and hard work anything is possible. Unlike most politicians, he was a common person. He is also a hero in that he symbolizes hope and possibilities for many Americans. However, Franklin was not a perfect human being, and for that reason, some believe that his face should not grace the $100 bill. His legacy is undeniably a major part in our history and as one of the key “founding fathers” to our society; the fact reminds Benjamin Franklin is distinct figure in our history. I will present my argument in favor of keeping Franklin on the bill.

    Read More

  • Imperial Self In Franklin And Thoreau Analysis

    1055 Words  | 3 Pages

    “I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that the natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into” is the mission statement he begins this discussion with, using such forceful terms as conquer to characterize this goal as a battle his perseverance can win. The thirteen virtues which he tries to commit to habit also reflect his belief in making one’s own life; order, industry, moderation, tranquility, and humility each hinge on the notion that a person can control their emotions and live in a constant state of productivity to accomplish any possible goal. Even after he abandons this pursuit, Franklin believes that his efforts have made him a better person more likely to succeed in life, claiming that “I was by the endeavor a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been.” This example and several others from his autobiography show that Franklin wholeheartedly felt that any person could improve their state of being and material affairs by the pulling of their own

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin's Contributions To Society

    879 Words  | 2 Pages

    Though best remembered for his services as a diplomat and statesman during the American Revolution, this “wisest American” was also a philosopher, publisher, and scientist. His collection of common-sense sayings in Poor Richard's Almanack won immediate and lasting success. His other contributions came as the colonies' first postmaster general, and as founder of the American Philosophical Society, which later became the University of Pennsylvania.Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat.

    Read More

  • The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

    1074 Words  | 3 Pages

    Franklin looks back on his fervent love of books, particularly Dr. Cotton Mather’s Essays to do good wherein the minister preaches about the importance of human courtesy and doing good unto others. He concludes that Dr. Mather’s essays “gave [him] a Turn of

    Read More

  • The Life of Benjamin Franklin

    1739 Words  | 4 Pages

    "Of two things you can be certain; death and taxes," quoted Benjamin Franklin. Having a humorous outlook on life, Franklin tried to make others' lives better. Benjamin was a man who served others and tried to make the world its best until his death. Benjamin Franklin had many accomplishments. He had a busy and eventful life, he played a major role in defending his country, and he was known for his quotes. Franklin was always working to make something better.

    Read More

  • Franklin

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    “My intentions were to acquire the Habitude of all these virtues, I judg’d it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it one of them at a time, and when I should be master of that, then proceed to another, and so on till I should have gone thro’ the thirteen” (Franklin 93). He believes that if he masters all of these virtues that he will become the perfect individual. If humility is the thirteenth one, than it must be the most important one in his life, or at least a closure to a perfect lifestyle. He made a book in which he allotte...

    Read More

  • Moral Perfection Of Benjamin Franklin

    1301 Words  | 3 Pages

    Moral perfection. This was Benjamin Franklin’s way of living “..without committing any fault at any time” (Franklin, 63). Benjamin Franklin was very specific about the way he intended to live his life and the person he was aiming to become. Franklin seemed to believe that since he knew right and wrong, there was no reason not to always do right and avoid the other. This might have seemed like a crazy task, even impossible. However, Benjamin Franklin was determined to try to achieve this perfect lifestyle. In previous letters that Benjamin had received for encouragement to right and publish an autobiography, men had described him in many ways that made him worthy. Men used words such as your frugality, diligence, and temperance ( Benjamin

    Read More

  • Why I admire Benjamin Franklin

    704 Words  | 2 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin completed many accomplishments from childhood to adulthood. When he was just 22 he established his first printing business with a partner, Hugh Meredith. Benjamin soon bought out Hugh Meredith's share. In 1732, when Franklin was only 26 he published the first edition of 'Poor Richards Almanack,' the book shows evidence that it was successful for 25 years. 'Poor Richards Almanack' allowed Franklin to retire from business a rich man in 1748. In 1741 Benjamin Franklin invented the Franklin Stove. The stove was handy for both, heating a room or cooking. In 1752 Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous electricity experiment with a kite. In 1757 Franklin returned to England as a Colonial agent for Pennsylvania. Next, in the year of 171 Benjamin began to write his own autobiography. In 1775 as a member of the Continental Congress, Franklin advocated separation from England. In 1776 Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence, in the fall he goes to France to plead the American cause. In 1778, Benjamin arranged the American Alliance with France, which soon led...

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Gender In Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography

    1211 Words  | 3 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin has been without a doubt one of the most relevant individuals in US history. His autobiography gives us a brief but detailed summary of what his life was like and how society worked in the eighteen century. This autobiography gives us many details of how the colonies where and offers and an overall image of the development of British North America which later turned into the United States. Due to the fact that this book was originally written for Franklin's son, the book concentrates in personal information and has very little information about other topics. However, there are some topics that can be extracted from his writings; one of them is gender. Even though, Franklin never talks openly about gender, we can observe how in his writing these roles are clearly assigned. In this paper, we will analyze how Benjamin's Franklin autobiography showcases the importance of gender in the early eighteenth century. Gender can be analyzed in Franklins book by looking at different topics. This given to men and women by society can be seen in the workspace, in the education of each individual, and in the family and family structure.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Benjamin Franklin's Rationalism

    1138 Words  | 3 Pages

    Among other duties, Franklin serves on the Pennsylvania Assembly “lobbying for the Colonies in their dispute against Britain, hoping to bring about a reconciliation that would prevent war” (65). His rational qualities make Franklin the perfect agent to promote change, and he takes advantage of this in his attempts to improve humanity. One way in which he achieves this is by working to compromise with Britain to make peace for the betterment of society. Ultimately,

    Read More

  • Benjamin Franklin: An Inspirational Self-Made Man

    1491 Words  | 3 Pages

    Benjamin Franklin is one of the most influential and famous figures of all time. Ben Franklin if often referred to as the "self-made man," and his philosophies and principles in the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, edited by Louis P. Masur, has served as a self-help book for millions around the world. Franklin's Autobiography is a prime example of the American dream, a rag to riches story that has inspired many people to think of themselves and the community in a different light. Franklin's moral and social philosophies are packed deeply into his Autobiography. Franklin believed that improving ones self was the key to success. Self-improvement, self-education, and self-discipline are the main factors of a self-made man. Improving yourself will ultimately improve the society as a whole. Franklin speaks of principality and inclination. His idea was to produce the principle man with the awareness of man's natural inclination. Throughout the text Franklin provides examples from his own life that contradicts his moral and social philosophies. These contradictions are mostly caused by natural inclinations. Franklin uses these contradictions to educate people to be aware of their natural inclinations and to try and overcome them. Franklin's realizes that improving oneself is a road with many imperfections. Not even the "self-made man" was completely perfect.

    Read More

  • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

    2314 Words  | 5 Pages

    Being proactive is the first step in the seven habit journey. I thought I was proactive because I always had to plan everything in my life. Family vacations, work schedules, continuing education all were events that I was proud to say I planned right down to the last detail. Reading the Covey material I realized that being proactive went much deeper than just planning life events. Being proactive involves choosing my attitude, focusing on my circle of influence and not my circle of concern, and turning setbacks into triumphs. Being proactive means to act based on principles not emotions. We all need a pause button that would allow us to stop during that time between...

    Read More

More about 13 Virtue In Benjamin Franklin's 7 Habits

Open Document