Why Is Benjamin Franklin Important In Today's Society
Dario Correa
11/20/2017
HIST-1301
Mr.Bodner
Semester Writing Assignment
Benjamin Franklin was a phylogram (lover of books) from a very young age; “reading was the only amusment I allow’d myself. I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolicks of any kind.” (FRANKLIN, Chapter 8) He would always meet up with some other book lovers and they would meet up to discuss the books they’re reading and share them. This is what inspired Franklin to start a library where all of his book club members would be able to share and pitch in their books, thus allowing a continuous stream of acces to them. The club members agreed on the idea and the started a small library at Mt. Grace where they held club meetings. However, they weren’t able to achieve the number …show more content…
First, he named 13 virtues that “at that time occurr'd to Franklin as necessary or desirable.” This list of virtues included “Humility”, “Silence”, “Order”, “Frugality”, “Resolute”, “Sincerity”, “Industry”, “Moderation”, “Justice”, “Tranquility”, “Cleanliness”, “Temperance” and “Chastity.” He planned that he would improve one of the virtues at a time before he moved onto the next one, and arrange the virtues he thought of in such a way that “previous acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others.” Then, Franklin used a tiny book where he would list these virtues, gave it its own page and days, and marked whenever he felt like he wasn’t adhering to these virtues and what they meant. Franklin gave each virtue a week to successfully master, as he “determined to give a week's strict attention to each of the virtues successively.” Overall, for all of his attempts, he was never able to reach moral perfection. He commented on himself that he “made so little progress in amendment, and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up the attempt.” Yet, even though he didn’t
11/20/2017
HIST-1301
Mr.Bodner
Semester Writing Assignment
Benjamin Franklin was a phylogram (lover of books) from a very young age; “reading was the only amusment I allow’d myself. I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolicks of any kind.” (FRANKLIN, Chapter 8) He would always meet up with some other book lovers and they would meet up to discuss the books they’re reading and share them. This is what inspired Franklin to start a library where all of his book club members would be able to share and pitch in their books, thus allowing a continuous stream of acces to them. The club members agreed on the idea and the started a small library at Mt. Grace where they held club meetings. However, they weren’t able to achieve the number …show more content…
First, he named 13 virtues that “at that time occurr'd to Franklin as necessary or desirable.” This list of virtues included “Humility”, “Silence”, “Order”, “Frugality”, “Resolute”, “Sincerity”, “Industry”, “Moderation”, “Justice”, “Tranquility”, “Cleanliness”, “Temperance” and “Chastity.” He planned that he would improve one of the virtues at a time before he moved onto the next one, and arrange the virtues he thought of in such a way that “previous acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others.” Then, Franklin used a tiny book where he would list these virtues, gave it its own page and days, and marked whenever he felt like he wasn’t adhering to these virtues and what they meant. Franklin gave each virtue a week to successfully master, as he “determined to give a week's strict attention to each of the virtues successively.” Overall, for all of his attempts, he was never able to reach moral perfection. He commented on himself that he “made so little progress in amendment, and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up the attempt.” Yet, even though he didn’t