Benjamin Franklin
Franklin is undoubtedly one of the most
influential figures in American history.
The numerous advancements
contributed by Franklin were made possible by a lot of
work on his part. His
outlook is best represented by his famous quote, "Dost
thou love life? Then
do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made
of." Franklin did
not sway from that philosophy, and spent little time at
leisure, as it was
not productive. Franklin’s work ethic, moral outlook, and
constant interest
in self-improvement throughout his life are his biggest claims
to fame.
Franklin’s strict adherence to his thirteen virtues-which he created
in his
pursuit of moral perfection-is responsible for many of his
countless
contributions to the colonies. Very important to Franklin’s life,
was the
little book he carried on his person at all times. In this book, he
charted on a
day to day basis, which virtues he had not obeyed, and marked a
check for each
mistake. Franklin set aside one week per virtue, and ordered
his virtues such
that whenever perfection in a virtue was attained, it would
make achieving the
following virtue easier. Franklin found that he had much
to improve upon.
Another ingredient to Franklin’s recipe for greatness
was his daily schedule.
Franklin divided his day up by the hour and knew
what he was to be doing at all
times. This he found difficult at times, and
involving the virtue Order, at one
time he almost gave up. In one of
Franklin's few pessimistic moments, he is
quoted as saying, "This article
(order) therefore cost me so much painful
attention, and my faults in it
vexed me so much...that I was almost ready to
give up the attempt and content
myself with a faulty character in that
respect." An amusing anecdote about a
man who concludes that "a speckled axe
is best" follows, and in looking back
on his life, Franklin demonstrates his
mastery of the thirteenth virtue,
Humility. Even before he set his thirteen
virtues to writing, Franklin could
be seen demonstrating many of them. In one
instance involving his friend
Collins, Franklin demonstrates Resolution,
Justice, and Sincerity. During
a voyage, Collins refuses to row, and Franklin
resolves to perform what he
must. An argument ensued, and Franklin, knowing that
Collins was a good
swimmer, decided the only course of action would be to throw
him overboard.
He was in a clear state of mind the whole time, and did
absolutely nothing
that he would regret later on. Temperance was also a virtue
that Franklin had
practiced his entire life. He was never a heavy drinker, and
always ate in
moderation. Franklin prided himself on being an excellent debater,
and while
creating his virtues, he added Silence as a guide to others explaining
one
reason he was such an excellent crafter of argument. "2. Silence- Speak
not
but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling
conversation."
Franklin means for others not to get caught up in petty
squabbles, but rather to
speak only to that which is important, and when
doing so, only to benefit the
other party. When you mix the Silence virtue
with the Sincerity virtue, which
Franklin is quoted as meaning "Use no
harmful deceit. Think innocently and
justly; and, if you speak, speak
accordingly." you will become well respected,
and a very powerful arguer.
Franklin himself was both, and through trials,
tribulations, and experience,
sets forth these very useful tools of debate. The
two virtues that Franklin
was exceptionally good at were Industry and Frugality.
"6. Industry- Lose
not time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off
all unnecessary
actions." There was not one time after his childhood during
which Franklin
was not employed, or at the very least, seeking work. The little
leisure time
Franklin allowed himself was spent in the pursuit of
self-education, by
reading books or engaging in conversation or argument with a
friend. During
most of his life he held down many jobs throughout the city, and
had other
money coming in from the numerous print shops he had gone into
partnership
and paid the overhead costs for. "5. Frugality- Make no expence
but to do
good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing." Most of the
money
Franklin spent went to improving his business or buying a few
books, which was
the only leisure he allowed himself. However, even Franklin
himself made
mistakes, an example being an excursion with his friend Ralph,
to London. He was
sent by the governor with the promise of enough money to
set up his own printing
press. Unfortunately for Franklin, the governor
backed out of his end of the
deal. He eventually found work, but worked
himself into a debt spending money on
seeing plays, and dining with his
greedy friend. They eventually separated on
less than good terms, and
Franklin never saw the money Ralph owed him.
Franklin’s view on the
situations is as follows, "...and by the loss of his
friendship, I found
myself relieved from a heavy burden." While the preceding
statement may seem
harsh, Franklin is very much justified in saying it, and
accurately
demonstrates the economical worth he placed on everything he
encountered. In
conclusion, Franklin’s life was shaped by these thirteen
virtues, and he
rarely swayed from the moral path they lit. There is no single
virtue that
can be selected, and thought of as less important than the rest. The
fame and
fortune of such a man as Franklin, who followed these thirteen
guidelines in
his journey to become a morally perfect man, is proof enough that
his system
worked, and still would work today. However, Franklin’s virtues,
which he
claimed were "necessary or desirable", were set by him and for him.
An
individual must choose the path down which they wish to trod, and follow
it
without hesitation. Franklin’s virtues can be appreciated and respected,
but
how realistically, in today’s society, can they all possibly be
attained?