Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography provides a comprehensive insight into his character and the environment of religious toleration in Philadelphia during his time. From this reading, we understand that compared to other colonies Philadelphia held one of the less tensed and strict atmospheres in terms of religious acceptance. After it was determined that the minister, George Whitefield, one of the prominent ministers of the Great Awakening, should not be reduced to preaching in an unflattering open space a house was constructed that would be open "expressly for the use of any preacher of any religious persuasion who might desire to say something to the people of Philadelphia." In other words, Philadelphia was allowing anyone of a religious group…
Original text: Few men have done as much for the world as Benjamin Franklin. Although he was always proud to call himself a printer, Franklin had many other talents as well. He was a diplomat, a scientist, an inventor, a philosopher, an educator, and a public servant.…
Intellectual, politician, scientist, and peacemaker, these are just a few words to describe Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential men in history. His roles in all aspects of life are quite important, especially in politics. Benjamin Franklin is called the “first American” because of his role in the formation of the United States. Aside from that he is one of our founding fathers, helped to write the Declaration of Independence, he served as a U.S ambassador to France, and before his death contributed to the constitutional convention and worked to free slaves.…
Though his hard work and expanding thirst for knowledge helped him grow successful in his works, he had an extreme thirst for public approval. In 1732, he used his connection to the printing industry to publish the first version of his Almanack. Franklin’s Almanack consisted of annual public news but also of ideal household ways to live and hints to becoming a better being. These small hints over time would couple together to form what Franklin saw as a desirable and acceptable piece of society and result in personal gains and betterment. Franklin felt that “Human Felicity is produc’d not so much by great Pieces of good Fortune that seldom happen, as by little Advantages that occur every Day. Thus if you teach a poor young Man to shave himself and keep his Razor in order, you may contribute more to the Happiness of his Life than in giving him 1000 Guineas (Franklin, 133).” These “little advantages” that Franklin was giving to the common people of society served as his feeling of having dependents and gave him credibility to the public of British North…
What we read in class of Ben Franklin's writing showed a new concept called rationalism. His ideas were about how self-improvement is reflected in a rationalist’s beliefs. There were virtues that he believed were important for how a person should live their lives,…
What probable reason does Franklin suggest for his giving the boatmen his only shilling, even though Franklin did the rowing?…
“The Autobiography” establishes in literary form the first example of the fulfillment of the American Dream. He writes of the possibilities of life in America through his own rise from the lower middle class as a youth to one of the most admired men in the world as an adult. Furthermore, he states that he achieved his success through a solid work ethic. For instance he writes, “It was about this time that I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection” (Franklin 307). He wants have that American dream, so he comes up with the thirteen virtues to help him. He proved that even undistinguished people can, through industry, become great figures of importance in America in his writings. His “The Autobiography” also reflects idealism. He somewhat writes of intellectual flourishment and political thought and during part two, he is trying to live them out. According to Betsy Erkkila, “while the Revolution is not present as part of the manifest content of Franklin's narrative, it is present as the political or narrative unconscious of Franklin's "Life"--as a scene of social crisis, bloody contest, and challenge to traditional structures of authority in family, society, church, and state” (Erkkila). This meaning that even though it wasn’t spoke of directly, the revolution was desired by Franklin so others could have the American dream and achieve as he…
Much of the success had by Benjamin Franklin coming from a poor family and turning into a wealthy individual was due to a few important people in his life. Franklin had about him very desirable qualities, for most people that he had met quickly gained interest in him and were willing to help him, Franklin however, never took any of this for granted. Benjamin Franklin had outstanding core values about him that were installed by a select few people growing up. The person who taught him the most important values in his life was his father, Josiah Franklin. Josiah, as described by Benjamin as “ingenious”, taught at a very young age the fundamental properties of thinking…
Imagine a person who could excel in many subjects, like math, science, and being a leader. Not only does Benjamin Franklin fall into this category, he is also an influential thinker, a scientist, and an inventor. Today, we recognize him as an important leader and scientist of the United States, along with his face depicted on the 100 dollar bill. In history, he had many wonderful achievements. He was also a very important person in the history of the United States.…
Franklin gives advice without recognizing he is doing it. When the reader views his thoughts on his own work, they see that he strived to be better and was improving himself as much as he could. For example, he writes of how he “discover’d some of my Faults and corrected them” when comparing his works to the original. Throughout the first piece, he showed ambition, improvement, and self-motivation. Franklin also writes about not giving up when he couldn’t find work as a Printer. He went from Boston to New York to Philadelphia to find a job. During this time he underwent sickness and fever, hunger, poverty, etc. Not only that, but he had to start from the beginning in each place to get to know people and make connections in order to get him a job.…
Benjamin believed he had the power to improve his own life, he wanted to teach people how to improve their own life, and in turn it would improve the community. Benjamin’s biggest achievements such as drafting the Declaration of Independence, famous writings and helping develop young America were possible because of his 13 virtues which he developed at age 20. Benjamin writes he chose “13 names of virtues all that at that time occur’d to me as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept, which fully express’d the extent I gave to its meaning.” The 13 virtues were temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, charity, and humility. Benjamin writes that he does not have all of these but these are things he wants to strive towards, perhaps even work on one at a time until it is mastered and then he could move onto the next one. He would also track using check marks, each day when he wasn’t following these virtues, for example if he felt he was not humble on a Tuesday then he would put a check mark there and reflect back on what he did…
In order to accomplish his goal for moral perfection, Franklin developed and committed himself to a personal improvement program that consisted of living 13 virtues which he saw as necessary or desirable to him at the time. Franklin’s sources came from various enumerations and numerous different writers.…
“Benjamin Franklin had already made great contributions to American society before he became involved in the movement for Independence” (Benton). “Franklin was not only the most famous American in the 18th century but also one of the most famous figures in the Western world of the 18th century; indeed, he is one of the most celebrated and influential Americans who has ever lived” (Wood). For Benjamin franklin to contribute all of his greatest inventions from when he was a child until his death, shows the world how great of a man he was. Benjamin Franklin is the worlds all time writer, inventor, politician, and many more, but he is defined as the worlds most remarkable…
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents. He became well known around the globe for his jobs as being an inventor, printer, scientist, diplomat, postmaster, and politician. He was the most known for drafting the Declaration of Independence with other founding fathers. Ben gave huge contributions to our world during his time living.…
Benjamin Franklin was known for many things. Most people know him from his famous kite flying experiment, but he was mostly famous for helping writing the draft for the Declaration of Independence. Ben was also known for being a printer, writer, scientist, inventor,statesman, civic leader, and diplomat.(America’s Library) By the end of his life he was elected for governor of Pennsylvania and lived a happy life.(Great Life of Benjamin Franklin)…