Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

“My Proposal was to build a Wharf there fit for us to stand upon, and I show’d my Comrades a large Heap of Stones, which were intended for a new House near the Marsh, and which would very well suit our Purpose.”

Despite being a small detail in Franklin’s autobiography, this moment illustrates his ability to use language to persuade others to invest in his endeavors, whether they may be personal or professional. As a child, Franklin demonstrates his entrepreneurial tendencies that he will develop and maintain throughout his life.

“This flatter’d my Vanity. But my Father discourag’d me, by ridiculing my performances, and telling me Verse-makers were generally Beggars; so I escap’d being a Poet, most probably a very bad one.”

Here, Franklin discusses how he felt when he published two poems for the first time, indicating a love for writing but also a desire to earn money. It also demonstrates his respect for his father and how he values his father’s opinion and advice: In the face of his father’s ridicule, Franklin decides to pursue a more profitable career.

“And as the chief Ends of Conversation are to inform, or to be informed, to please or to persuade, I wish well-meaning sensible Men would not lessen their Power of doing Good by a positive assuming Manner that seldom fails to disgust, tends to create Opposition, and to defeat every one of those Purposes for which Speech was given to us, to wit, giving or receiving Information, or Pleasure.”

The influence of the Enlightenment period enforces Franklin’s belief that any language, including conversations with other people, should be intentional and purposeful. Franklin advocates for people to develop their communication skills so that both parties benefit from the conversation. Narratively, this provides insight into how Franklin came to his philosophical beliefs pertaining to society and why he was so passionate about The Importance of Self-Improvement.

“The Governor gave me an ample Letter, saying many flattering things of me to my Father, and strongly recommending the Project of my setting up at Philadelphia, as a Thing that must make my Fortune.”

Referring to one of his first political connections, Governor Keith, Franklin details how he establishes his printing house. The governor’s letter is an attempt to influence Franklin’s father to invest in the business. However, his father declines, creating some tension between father and son. Franklin will later explain that his father did eventually invest once Franklin had proved himself.

“For the Arguments of the Deists which were quoted to be refuted, appeared to me much Stronger than the Refutations. In short I soon became a Deist.”

Although Franklin expresses his belief in God, he does so because he has been persuaded by “the Arguments of the Deists” and not the traditional Christian arguments. This illustrates how Franklin prioritizes reason and logic while also maintaining a spiritual, or religious, outlook on the world. His adherence to Deism also reflects The Role of Enlightenment Values in his life, as deism was very much in vogue among Enlightenment thinkers.

“Thus far was written with the Intention express’d in the Beginning and therefore contains several little family Anecdotes of no Importance to others. What follows was written many Years after and in compliance with Advice contain’d in these Letters, and accordingly intended for the Public. The Affairs of the Revolution occasion’d the Interruption.”

Franklin claims that he recognizes that the information regarding his family’s history does not relate to a broad audience, but he now signals his intention to write with a more general reading public in mind. “The Affairs of the Revolution” refer to the American War of Independence.

“Life is uncertain, as the Preacher tells us, and what will the World say if kind, humane, and benevolent Ben Franklin should leave his Friends and the World deprived of so pleasing and profitable a Work, a Work which would be useful and entertaining not only to a few, but to millions.”

Here, Franklin quotes a purported letter from one of his friends, urging him to continue writing his memoirs so that his work can be “pleasing and profitable” to potentially “millions” of readers. This quote speaks to Franklin’s belief that writing his autobiography will satisfy his vanity while once more suggesting that his life can serve as a moral exemplar for others.

“The nearest thing to having experience of one’s own, is to having other people’s affairs brought before us in a shape that is interesting; this is sure to happen from your pen.”

In the second letter from one of his friends, the writer’s words indicate that Franklin’s experience in life is so great and valuable that his text can influence other individuals. Here, the second letter also appeals to Franklin’s vanity and credibility while enforcing the idea that a reader can learn through example.

“This Library afforded me the Means of Improvement by constant Study […] and thus repair’d in some Degree the Loss of the Learned Education my Father once intended for me. Reading was the only Amusement I allow’d myself.”

Franklin’s use of the library and his determination to have reading as his “only Amusement” demonstrate his commitment to The Importance of Self-Improvement. The library is also an important symbol in the text, representing the power of knowledge (See: Symbols & Motifs).

“I from thence consider’d Industry as a means of obtaining Wealth and Distinction, which encourag’d me: tho’ I did not think that I should ever literally stand before Kings, which however has since happened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to Dinner.”

Franklin reflects on how someone of humble roots can achieve things that could at first appear improbable. It illustrates that his dedication to self-improvement opened up opportunities for him even beyond the “Wealth and Distinction” he had dreamed about. Just as Franklin provides advice for self-improvement, he also includes examples of how it benefited him.

“This Respect to all, with an Opinion that the worse had some good Effects, induc’d me to avoid all Discourse that might tend to lessen the good Opinion another might have of his own Religion; and as our Province increas’d in People and new Places of worship were continually wanted, and generally erected by voluntary Contribution, my Mite for such purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never refused.”

Here, Franklin depicts his commitment to religious tolerance, reflecting The Role of Enlightenment Values in his life. His description of the rapidly growing population and the diversity of religious opinion and sects within American communities also reflects The Development of American Identity in its commitment to religious freedom for all.

“[V]icious Actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful, the Nature of Man alone consider’d: That it was therefore every one’s Interest to be virtuous, who wish’d to be happy even in this World.”

Franklin advocates for his reader to live by a list of virtues or morals because he believes that being virtuous will create happiness. His insistence that “the Nature of Man alone” reveals the importance of virtuous conduct reflects The Role of Enlightenment Values, with Franklin insisting that to be moral is not only good but also rational.

“In reality there is perhaps no one of our natural Passions so hard to subdue as Pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself. You will see it perhaps often in this History. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility.”

Here, Franklin describes his struggle with pride, acknowledging that his commitment to The Importance of Self-Improvement remains an ongoing struggle. At the same time, Franklin demonstrates his willingness to be truthful and authentic to his reader, so this moment serves as a narrative technique to place that principle in action.

“My Ideas at that time were, that the Sect should be begun and spread at first among young and single Men only; that each Person to be initiated should not only declare Assent to such Creed, but should have exercis’d himself with the Thirteen Weeks’ Examination and Practice of the Virtues.”

By describing an idea for a school for young men to practice their virtues, Franklin illustrates that he is always working to better himself and those around him. Although this plan does not come to fruition, Franklin engages in the act of sharing ideas with his reader and providing the details of this plan for them to execute themselves on an individual level, adhering to his constant advocation of collaboration and the exchange of knowledge.

“I mention this Affair chiefly for the Sake of recommending that Branch of Education for our young Females, as likely to be of more Use to them and their Children in Case of Widowhood than either Music or Dancing.”

Franklin’s advocation of education for young women illustrates a progressive mindset during the founding of the United States, when women did not hold any legal rights. He explains that his experiences with women show their ability to maintain the same responsibilities as men, which is not a widely accepted belief at the time.

“I have thought, that there is some Inconsistency in our common Mode of Teaching Languages. We are told that it is proper to begin first with Latin, and having acquir’d that, it will be more easy to attain those modern Languages which are deriv’d from it […] I would therefore offer it to the consideration of those who superintend the education of our youth, whether […] it would not have been better to have begun with the French, proceeding to the Italian, etc.; for, tho’, after spending the same time, they should quit the study of languages and never arrive at the Latin, they would, however, have acquired another tongue or two, that, being in modern use, might be serviceable to them in common life.”

Franklin’s musings on language teaching and acquisition reflect his continuous interest in education and how knowledge is disseminated. His suggestion that, in place of learning Latin first, it could perhaps be of more use to teach modern languages, once more reflects his pragmatism and love of innovative ideas.

“I, who was intimately acquainted with him […] never had the least Suspicion of his Integrity, but am to this day Decidedly of Opinion that he was in all his Conduct, a perfectly honest Man. And methinks my Testimony in his Favor ought to have the more weight, as we had no religious Connection.”

Franklin offers his opinions on Mr. Whitfield, a preacher who is not well-received by other members of the local congregations. Franklin’s remark that his opinion is perhaps of more “weight” because he speaks without any religious motive reflects his belief in both religious toleration and his own rational judgments.

“That as we enjoy great Advantages from the Inventions of Others, we should be glad of an Opportunity to serve others by any Invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously.”

Here, Franklin advocates for the free exchange of knowledge, especially with scientific developments that are meant to better the lives of all people. In emphasizing the importance of open exchange for the sake of the common good, Franklin demonstrates The Role of Enlightenment Values in shaping his thinking.

“I proceeded in my Electrical Experiments with a great Alacrity; but the Public now considering me as a Man of Leisure, laid hold of me for their Purposes; every Part of our Civil Government, almost at the same time, imposing some Duty upon me.”

Franklin’s tone implies a sense of duty both to his scientific developments and his political role, but he also makes it clear that these two activities do interfere with each other. He utilizes this moment to illustrate how his work, whether political or scientific, has been a priority for him throughout his life while also emphasizing his commitment to public service.

“Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the Trouble of considering and carrying into the Execution of new Projects. The best public Measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous Wisdom, but forc’d by occasion.”

Franklin’s description of how “The best public Measures” are usually the result of “occasion” instead of custom or conventional “Wisdom” reflects his commitment to innovative and even radical ideas in both society and government. Franklin’s ideal of government is one that can adapt and respond to changing circumstances, reflecting The Development of American Identity.

“The British Government not choosing to permit the Union of the Colonies, as propos’d at Albany, and to trust that Union with their Defense, lest they should thereby grow too military, and feel their own Strength, Suspicions, and Jealousies.”

In Part 3, Franklin sets up the colonies’ eventual decision to fight for their own freedom when they begin to acknowledge how little power the British government allows them. Franklin clearly outlines the events leading up to the American Revolution, revealing the political aspects of The Development of American Identity.

“[T]hat when Men are employ’d they are best contented. For on the Days they work’d they were good nature’d and cheerful […] but on the idle Days, they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their Pork, the bread, etc., and in continual ill-humor; which put me in mind of a Sea-Captain, whose Rule it was to keep his men constantly at Work.”

Here, Franklin asserts that work results in happiness and contentment, which relates to his own decision to constantly be working. The passage reflects his belief in The Importance of Self-Improvement over idle pleasures.

“Our new Governor, Captain Denny, brought over for me the beforementioned Medal from the Royal Society […] He accompanied it with very polite Expression of his Esteem for me, having been long acquainted with my Character.”

Franklin again quotes the praise of another in describing his achievements. His scientific success is another example he offers as to why continuous self-improvement is beneficial. The reference to the Royal Society is another example of The Role of Enlightenment Values at this time, as the Royal Society was one of a number of organizations dedicated to learning founded during the 18th century.