Benjamin Franklin 13 Virtues Analysis
Benjamin Franklin and His 13 Virtues In part II of Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, he lists the 13 virtues every man should follow to establish a modeled “habitude” that would better life for all men of the time period. Although not all men of the 1780s were perfect examples of these virtues, these virtues are what the “old lights” strived to be. The virtues “occurred to [Franklin] as necessary or desirable” (Franklin, 428). The success of the nation was reliant on heading towards a similar goal - a goal to be a well-respected example for the nation. Although Franklin makes a point to say this experiment is about him, he also writes that “it may be well my posterity should be informed…” (Franklin 433). Franklin is writing this with the intent of others seeing his argument. He makes a clear point that this is the direction a perfect man should be heading towards. After conducting his experiment with the virtues, Franklin “was …show more content…
The virtues aren’t for any one specific group but a group as a whole. Man should follow the virtues and not vicious actions because vicious actions are harmful. Franklin believes that everyone should take interest in being virtuous if they “wish’d to be happy even in this World.” (Franklin, 433) Franklin’s 13 Virtues was a guide for Americans and future generations to follow to become the model citizens they believed they were. Franklin listed the ways and descriptions of what one should do to fall into having these as common everyday habits. Once trained to follow the virtues, by working on a specific one each week, man would be able to prove he was a paragon for the society. Franklin and his 13 virtues may not have represented the individuals of the day, but was a representation of what the “old lights” should and wanted to be
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1910 Words | 8 PagesBoth men had some affiliation with Christianity: praise and thank God for their good fortune in life. Franklin wanted to attain Moral Perfection, given that he enumerated 13 virtues: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chasity, Humility. Franklin even contends to follow the actions of Jesus, The Son of God. He believed that the only religion that matters to him is the religion of hard work and material success. He values rationality and reasonableness above all.
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1621 Words | 7 PagesIn his “Poor Richard’s Almanack” Franklin writes that "He that drinks his cyder alone, let him catch his horse alone" (26). Franklin lived his life standing by this principle that he preached through his publications. He gave every ounce of his success back to his community while revolutionizing public service and philanthropy. Instead of boxing himself into one discipline of service, Franklin spread his wealth: he bettered education by founding an academy that promoted welfare through a public hospital, more advanced health care, and nondiscriminatory schooling opportunities; he founded a militia allow the common citizen to give back; he established police and fire departments in Philadelphia to make the colonies a safer place. In all of his
Benjamin Franklin's Accomplishments
824 Words | 4 Pages“Man 's tongue is soft, and bone doth lack; yet a stroke therewith may break a man 's back.” From Poor Richard’s Almanack in 1740, these are several out of thousands of wise words spoken by America’s greatest Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. He was among the most famous people of his time period and was one of the greatest celebrated figures in the history of the United States. There are numerous ways in which he achieved these titles but they all amount to the one feature that was constant throughout his entire life, success. Through inventing, writing, conducting science experiments such as detecting the presence of electricity in lightning, and being one of the biggest renowned diplomats during the 18th century, his life would leave a
Benjamin Franklin Rhetorical Analysis
685 Words | 3 PagesFranklin was trying to reach perfection, and this excerpt documents that struggle. Many people try to reach a higher level of humanity, but none are able to achieve it. People will alway be flawed, no matter how they may wish this was not the case. “...I believe this [is] the case of many, who, having, for want of some
Benjamin Franklin And His Enemies Analysis
1225 Words | 5 PagesBenjamin Franklin’s resumé starts from a print shop to a politician, and finally to a scientist. Having worked in different
Compare And Contrast Jonathan Edward And Ben Franklin
922 Words | 4 PagesThere were a lot of American men who had perfect influence on people’s mind of American society. Jonathan Edward and Benjamin Franklin were two of those writers, who were the most important and intellectual men, who left behind many admirable works for the future society. In spite of them being so intelligent, they have some different and similar views in terms of morality, personal responsibility, human nature, and limits of human knowledge and inform people how to live a better life. In addition, they were different in terms of religious inclinations. Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edward were both philosopher and had similar views in terms of informing people the right way to live in order to be successful and get salvation by reforming their mind in their life.
Benjamin Franklin: Tragic Hero Or An Archetypal American?
631 Words | 3 PagesBenjamin Franklin is known to be an “Archetypal American,” because of his beliefs on religion, self-improvement, hard work, and determination; but also his somewhat prideful spirit. Much of modern America is quite similar to Franklin in his actions throughout his lifetime. In his early years, Franklin’s father, Josiah, had a set plan for what he was supposed to do with his life, as a minister. Soon into his education, he found an interest in reading and writing, so he began pursuing a career in printing.
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Benjamin Franklin: An Archetype Of American Identity
1312 Words | 6 PagesFranklin values frugality so highly that he refers to as the way to wealth, freedom from debt, and “producing affluence and independence” (Franklin 38). Franklin goes as far as to “avoid all appearances to the contrary [of being frugal]”, by always dressing plainly when out in public and not being seen at expensive, “places of idle diversion” (Franklin 33). Franklin’s combined frugality and humble appearance worked in his favor, as he was seen as a “thriving young man” whom merchants would import stationery for and “others would supply . . . with books” (Franklin 33). This frugality of Franklin’s gave him social standing, success, and riches.
Benjamin Franklin Hero's Journey
1467 Words | 6 PagesWhile back in America, Benjamin Franklin saves enough money to start his own printing press. At this point in his life, Franklin is continuing to write many of his books, exploring new ideas, and inventing. “It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other.
The Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin Rhetorical Analysis
1188 Words | 5 PagesAudience as an Influencer When writing any type of composition, is the author consciously aware of who their audience will be? Benjamin Franklin started writing an autobiography of his life when he was about sixty-five years old. This self-narrative was written about Franklin’s life goals and accomplishments. The subject of who Franklin’s intended audience comes into question throughout the self-narrative.
Benjamin Franklin's Ethos In Speech In The Convention
518 Words | 3 PagesAs a result, Benjamin Franklin is a wise man, in order to create trusts from the members of the congress, he utilizes his ethos by accepting his fallibilities and willing to do good for the constitution to be
Benjamin Franklin's Life And Accomplishments
596 Words | 3 PagesMany of you are taught all about the Founding Fathers and how America got it’s Independence. I’m positive you’ve all heard about the famous Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, and about all his contributions to history. He has contributed to the draft of the Declaration of Independence, but that wasn’t the only important contribution he made. He bought a famous paper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, proved the electrical nature of lighting with a kite, and many other things were done by Benjamin. You were probably not told too much about Franklin’s other accomplishments.
Benjamin Franklin's Influence On The Enlightenment
690 Words | 3 PagesAt the start of the 18th century, the beginning of the Enlightenment was upon America. There were many factors and people who help play a part in the Enlightenment or, in other words, the Age of Reason, some of the people that assisted the enlightenment was Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adam. Each of the philosophers demonstrates the fundamental idea of the Enlightenment like liberalism, rationalism, conservatism, toleration and scientific progress. Even though each person played an important part, the most influences person that was involved was Benjamin Franklin. Throughout Benjamin Franklin`s life, he demonstrates through his action and writing that he was the epitome of the Enlightenment by showing that he was
Examples Of Virtues In Living A Good Life
749 Words | 3 PagesThree virtues that are essential for living a good life are patience, courage and perseverance. One virtue essential for living a good life is patience. Patience is the ability to remain positive and calm while enduring a troublesome period or delay. After graduating high school, for instance, I made the decision to wait a few years before pursuing a degree. As graduation approached, I realized I was not mentally mature enough to start college in the fall.
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