Benjamin Franklin Virtue Essay

Ben Franklin became famous for being a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, and a librarian. Today, we honor Ben Franklin as one of the men who founded America and as one of America's greatest citizens.

In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin discusses the importance of thirteen virtues that can make a man as close to perfect as possible. He explains the value of each virtue and keeps a detailed and organized chart of how he practices those virtues. Personally, I understand his methodology in his autobiography and have actually done the same when I was younger. Although I relate to the majority of his listed characteristics, I’ve found that I struggle the most with resolution.

There were many people that helped contribute to the Enlightenment, but the most prominent American leader was a well-know political figure named Benjamin Franklin. The Enlightenment, also called the Age of Reason, was period of time when people tried to justify life in terms of scientific theory and rationalism. “The Enlightenment was responsible for inspiring revived interests in education, science, and literature” (“HistoryKing.com”). It also emphasized progression away from traditional customs and foundations

Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is an inspiring tale of his personal, as well as public achievement throughout his life. Franklin’s life embodies the exemplary model of a life composed of discipline, self-reliance and self improvement. From his humble beginnings as an apprentice candle and soap maker in his father’s business to a successful business man, author, philosopher, civil activist, politician scientist, inventor, and diplomat, above all Benjamin Franklin was, and still is, an American Icon and truly a pioneer of the American Dream.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most successful founding fathers of our nation and helped establish American independence from Great Britain. He was a key member in the development of the political backbone that has shaped this country into what it is today. Benjamin Franklin was one of the most humble and inspirational figures of that time. He was a major factor in the outcome of the war of Independence and in his selfless actions of leaving his family, won the help from the French to assist America in the fight against England. Although Benjamin Franklin never made it to be president he was a leader among his peers. He invented many things that we still use today such as the library, bifocals, and the postal service. He helped

Perfection? Can any one person be perfect? Benjamin Franklin believed that he could accomplish this task. Benjamin Franklin was known for being a cognizant and diligent perfectionist. During his lifetime, many people were concerned with correcting themselves of any fault that they may have had. Benjamin Franklin did have an interesting way to proclaim how he, could show everyone how to be perfect. He believes that he can make himself perfect. Even though his ways of being perfect are not the same as everyone else's ideas, he still tries to show them he can be perfect. In his essay "Arriving at Perfection" Benjamin Franklin tries to tell everyone how he will be perfect and how he is going to actually accomplish this task.

The first way Benjamin Franklin attempted to become perfect was he listed character traits that contributed to perfectibility. He believed a person that was perfect had these specific traits. The character traits were: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Franklin made a chart with

Brands, H.W.. The first American: the life and times of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Doubleday,

The first virtue Ben Franklin wanted was “An Aversion to Tyranny”. The main idea of this to Ben is that he doesn’t like tyranny, which is power or control of one person. He didn’t like to be told what to do to and he also liked some control and therefore, have a limited government. Ben didn’t want any dictatorship either, which meant no kings or queens. Franklin realized that he didn’t like the idea of tyranny when he was 12 years old. He became an apprentice at the print shop of his older brother, James, who tended to be a tougher boss.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin seem to prove to everyone how articulate, intelligent and sophisticated this man was. He wrote about the trials he underwent to become the writer he is known as today. He even was so intelligent he sought out to publish in his autobiography what virtues would have you “arriving at the door of moral perfection” (90). He wanted to show everyone that becoming perfect wasn't as arduous as everyone had thought. Benjamin Franklin was true Renaissance Man born at a different time period, Non-Religious and he indeed was being a sharp-witted mind that believed slavery was inhumane. Benjamin Franklin’s three personality traits that he exhibits are exhibited in Frederick Douglass.

Benjamin Franklin is revered by Americans as one of its most revered and adored founding fathers. For foreigners, Benjamin Franklin became the very icon of America, not only because he was accomplished, but because he was a new man, a man that could only have been made in America. Franklin came to be seen as the embodiment of American values.

Response 1: I think that Benjamin Franklin can be both admired and ridiculed for his plan to be “perfect” in a sense. In the book, he makes a list of virtues that make a person better and he wishes to accomplish it in 13 weeks, doing one each week. Franklin creating a list of good behaviors is something to be admired of because the list is composed of helpful rules that morally make a better person. But, the part that is ridiculed is when he decides to accomplish all 13 in a short amount of time when realistically, it would take a lot more time for good behaviors to become a habit. He says he had added “Humility” to his list because he was being a dandy and he was too proud upon himself. When someone finally notified him of this behavior, he decided to change it and added it to the list. When Franklin says he had accomplished following all of the virtues successfully (pg.56), he is going against one of the virtues he had put down in his list which is “Humility”. I would support Franklin’s theory of self-righteous by following the list because the list does make sense and could help better a person’s life and way of thinking. It would make the

In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts

Franklin uses his plan for self-improvement to change himself. While most people want to improve themselves, Franklin takes it to another level. The quest to enhance one’s self is to change one’s self. After all,

He uses a lot of experimentation and facts in his writing. Benjamin Franklin was a renowned pioneer, scientist, founding father, and the “wisest” man of America. In his essay, he is experimenting to live each day without making any mistakes. He believes that habit, carelessness, and attitude are all aspects that lead to living life without perfection. Each week of his experimentation, he would try a new virtue. He developed a chart, marking each time he failed. He did fail incredibly and did recognize his failures. At the end of his experiment he was happy to have done this experimentation for 13 weeks rather than being sour about failing the 13 virtues. He appeals to his reader with complete logic and little bias. His chart is very effective in displaying his point of even though he was failing, he was still persevering. Franklin’s attitude of in a sense laughing at his failures shows that he was not afraid of failure. The effect that he has on his reader is that we can attain perfection but with hard work and perseverance. This shows the reader that hard work and pure concentration can lead to perfection. Both the authors compare because both make the reader observe their life. They both help make a person better because John’s main message is to show the reader that you cannot forget about death and must be prepared about it in this life. Franklin shows that a person can have a fulfilled life of perfection