Throughout The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin uses his past and experiences as a model for the common man. He appears to be a man of morals and often speaks of important characteristics and virtues one should possess. For example, Franklin states that he “grew convinc’d that truth, sincerity, and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life” (Franklin 44). Franklin’s virtues seem like they are important to his morality, however, it sometimes appears that he abandons his morality or virtues, especially sincerity. This is a misreading as Franklin does not outright abandon morality. Instead, Franklin uses his virtues in a flexible and reasonable way to achieve his moral principle …show more content…
Therefore, if acting sincere causes harm or distress, then one should act insincerely. He also advises that people should think before they speak and if the words they are speaking are unkind, then they should not speak at all. While sincerity is important to him, it is no longer important if it will cause harm.
Franklin demonstrates that sometimes there are instances where it is better to be insincere for the greater good. For example, there is no question that Franklin is insincere to his former business partner, Meredith. Franklin and Meredith own a printing business, but Franklin wishes to dissolve the partnership as Meredith possesses no skill and often shows up to work drunk. Meredith brings money to the partnership, but Franklin brings expertise. Franklin eventually has two friends offer him money, so he can take the partnership upon himself. However, Franklin does not come right out and tell Meredith that he wishes to buy him out, instead, he uses reverse psychology. He expresses that maybe Meredith’s father, who gave Meredith the money for the business, is unsatisfied that the two are business partners. Franklin
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Steven Forde points out in his essay, “Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography and the Education of America,” that Franklin’s “own devotion [to virtue] as portrayed at points in the work has to be described as casual at best” (Forde 359). Franklin is casual regarding his virtues, specifically sincerity, because they are guidelines, not principles. He uses virtues to achieve his goals and occasionally needs to violate these virtues to do good. He explains that virtues are not important for their own sake, rather they are important as they are the tools or instruments that help people do good. Virtues usually help people do good, but when they do not help, people must violate them for the sake of the principle. Franklin would argue that virtues are not the core of morality, but, doing good is the core. Therefore, people must sometimes sacrifice their virtues if it is necessary to achieve morality. Franklin uses his guidelines in this flexible way because he is a reasonable and practical person. If Franklin strictly followed his guidelines all the time, it would be unproductive and inefficient. Franklin would have ruined his friendship with Meredith and the two would not be able to move on and do the work that each is skilled at. He places his goals and principles ahead of his guidelines and alters his guidelines to achieve these
Gordon S. Wood delves into Benjamin Franklin’s philosophical, political, and personal legacies in the biography, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. The book travels through Franklin’s experiments, his travels in Europe, and his role in the American revolution. The book begins when Franklin retires from business and becomes a gentleman. It was when he became a gentleman, it allowed him to analyze the world around him. “Indeed, he could not drink a cup of tea without wondering why the tea leaves at the bottom gathered in way rather than another,” a quote from Edmund S. Morgan’s book, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin spent a great deal of time in Britain before returning to America. When he returned, he threw himself into the American revolution, which sent him to France. After he accomplished his duties in France, he returned back home to America where he ran for public office.
While writing a letter to his son, he begins to explain his reasoning for writing in a somewhat formal fashion, stating what he felt was the purpose of his life. His light hearted nature would show through when he lightly mocked previous statements he had written. He shows a lot of pride in all of the accomplishments he had made in his life. He refers to his past mistakes as ‘errata’ which is a term used for correcting printing mistakes. This suggests that he simply viewed his errors in life as easily replaced with the greater things he has gone on to do. He stressed the importance of hard work and that it would certainly lead to greatness and wealth. In part two, a seemingly older Franklin focuses his tone away from entertaining himself and his son. He goes on to explain a series of models and virtues that would lead to a happy and fulfilling life. Lastly in part three, a slightly older Franklin encourages people so stop thinking in self-interest and to join together to encourage social
Franklin believed that through self restraint and development of ones temperament anyone can achieve a successful life. The process Franklin describes involves cataloging all of the bad habits you do during a period of time and gradually working on reducing each of them to the point where they are almost non existent. However he does note that it is impossible to achieve
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
Franklin was remembered for stating "the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth—that God governs in the affairs of men." Franklin 's ideas that contributed to the Enlightenment is found in his Autobiography. His idea of a perfect person has 13 virtues and claims that a practical and scientific man is based on combining their values and economic values. Franklin preferred voluntarily societies over government control, all his thoughts can lead back to free opinion. In his, Almanac is reflected on his scientific interests and was popular within the
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.
...eek. These virtues include temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquillity, chastity, and humility. The Autobiography is not the full story of Franklin’s life. It terminates approximately in his fifty-third year, before he became America’s greatest diplomat.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a representation of the new prospect of upward mobility in colonial America during the 18th century and the development of the Age of Reason, which assisted in the conception of the idea of the “American Dream”; a dream that includes fundamentally social ideals such as democracy, equality, and material prosperity. Furthermore, Franklin’s autobiography exemplifies a significant shift in focus from religion to enlightenment and reason. Additionally, there were forces specific to Benjamin Franklin's Philadelphia, that played an important role in his perspectives and the changes that occurred within colonial America during the 18th century.
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.
Benjamin Franklin was a very prominent figure in shaping our nation. Many people look at him as a role model or just as an amazing individual. He had his faults just like every human being had, and he shouldn’t be discredited because of a few minor glitches to his character. As being the only person that had signed The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris, this immediately separates him from all others. One of the things that he wrote about in Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings, was trying to be the ideal person, and even made a list of virtues to live by. His virtues were very important to his lifestyle, and he followed them to a great extent.
The second half of Franklin’s letter employs the mode of example to illustrate Franklin’s premise. One by one, we are introduced to people who “pay too much for their whistle.” In paragraph 5, he describes a man who gave too much for his whistle, “when I saw another fond [...] constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs [...] He pays, indeed [...] too much for his whistle.” Franklin argues that sometimes people get caught up in society and worldly affairs that they fail to see their own true values and life. He also describes in a second example how we pay too
Benjamin Franklin’s ethics helped convey to the audience that they were not just listening to another representative's opinion in the room. His “diplomatic skills”(43) in this speech helped make the delegates listen and take his view into consideration. Such a reputation can make people ponder and contemplate his words and meanings. Franklin does not approach the debate with unfair reasoning or a lack of knowledge. In fact, he mentions “when you assemble a number of men...you inevitably assemble with those men and all their prejudices...”(43) showing that he is aware of other people’s opinions and thoughts. He uses the other delegates opinions to attempt a compromise.
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.
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.
After all, Franklin said himself that its publication was “a proper vehicle for conveying instruction among the common people” (McMichael et al., 422). Among the hundreds of sayings, which seem to align with Franklin’s own virtues regarding frugality and industry, such as “dost thou love life? Then do not squander time”, there was one that rang true with a more liberal viewpoint (McMichael et al., 432). It states, “half-hospitality opens his doors and shuts up his countenance” (McMichael et al., 432). Simply put, it warns of an individual that gives the impression of being charitable, but truly offers no support. While seemingly small in this ocean of words, it still speaks the loudest. Reflecting on Franklin’s earlier charities towards others, even in the face of his own immediate poverty, adds a sudden perspective and boarder message than one’s own agency (McMichael et al., 392-393). Of all the proverbs that Franklin collected, perhaps the underlying message was to better oneself and others just the same when able. That is something no one should forget, liberal or conservative