I saw the justice of his remark, and thence grew more attentive to the manner in writing, and determined to endeavor at improvement. About this time I met with an odd volume of the Spectator. It was the third. I had never before seen any of them. I bought it, read it over and over, and was much delighted with it. I thought the writing excellent, and wished, if possible, to imitate it.
Franklin, 14
In this quote Franklin demonstrates several important characteristics of his personality that will lend themselves to his future success. First, he is willing to take direction and constructive criticism. Before Franklin can become a great man he needs to learn from other great men. He knows that unfettered independence is not ideal: instruction and advice from one's betters is useful for advancement. Second, he will primarily gain his reputation through writing: writing articles under the penname "Silence Dogood," publishing pieces on politics and science, writing the Autobiography, and more. Writing is a way to put one's ideas into the world, to shape one's own identity and destiny. From his earliest days Franklin sees writing as key to his future. Third, he has an intense work
Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography may mark the creation of the American Dream, understanding America as a place where—free from the rigid class construction and generational prejudices of European history—any person could attain wealth and distinction simply by working hard enough. The tale that Franklin creates for himself is the prototypical rags-to-riches story of a young man without a penny to his name rising to become a distinguished statesman and wealthy inventor. Inherent within Franklin’s attentiveness to portraying this theme is the underlying critique that such a story would be the exception rather than the rule if America ever moved toward a more European system of government and economics.
Another key theme to be found in Franklin’s recollection is his unqualified suspicion of religion and rejection of adherence to a Biblical set of ethical guidelines over devotion to common-sense principles. Franklin routinely criticizes religion for clouding judgments regarding principled decision-making. By tossing divinity out of the decision-making process the system becomes streamlined by placing ethical value on the situation at hand rather than configuring to fit some compre
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Quotes
“When about 16 years of age I happened to meet with a book, written by one Tryon, recommending a vegetable diet. I determined to go into it. My brother, being yet unmarried, did not keep house, but boarded himself and his apprentices in another family. My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chid for my singularity. I made myself acquainted with Tryon's manner of preparing some of his dishes, such as boiling potatoes or rice, making hasty pudding, and a few others, and then proposed to my brother, that if he would give me, weekly, half the money he paid for my board, I would board myself. He instantly agreed to it, and I presently found that I could save half what he paid me. This was an additional fund for buying books. But I had another advantage in it. My brother and the rest going from the printing-house to their meals, I remained there alone, and, despatching presently my light repast, which often was no more than a bisket or a slice of bread, a handful of raisins or a tart from the pastry-cook's, and a glass of water, had the rest of the time till their return for study, in which I mad
Benjamin Franklin&#;s Famous Quotes
“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“There never was a good war or a bad peace.”
-Letter to Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society of London, July Also cited in a letter to Quincy, Sr., American merchant, planter and politician, September
“He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“Better slip with foot than tongue.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“Look before, or you’ll find yourself behind.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“Don’t throw stones at your neighbors, if your own windows are glass.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“He that would live in peace & at ease, Must not speak all he knows or judge all he sees.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“Well done is better than well said.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“A right Heart exceeds all.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“What you seem to be, be really.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“A true Friend is the best Possession.”
- Poor Richard’s Almanack,
“No gains w
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