Benjamin Franklin and T.S. Eliot, two intellectual men who were born almost two hundred years apart, but still their virtues shared common theme. They were both well-educated and both were concerned about improving. Self or society improvement. While Franklin’s virtues were mostly about self-improvement, Eliot’s values were about the society; however, both matters in self and society improvement. Benjamin Franklin was a wise man that despite the fact that he was lacking in his marriage life, he was still concerned about self-improvement and was constantly thinking about a way to bettering himself. He had thirteen virtues, including: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, …show more content…
They both believed that individuals need to be in control of their action and harm no one. As Franklin put it in words, all these virtues are there for “Coolness and clearness of head, which is so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard maintained, against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits, and the force of perpetual temptations.” (Franklin 84) As wise men, they knew that human beings all, despite their knowledge or their maturity or class, have some bad habits, which can be harmful sometimes and so everyone need a little guide or set of rules to stop or remind them that they need to sometimes just stop and review their actions. On the other hand, while Franklin’s virtues were mostly focused on personal level, Eliot’s values were mainly focused on the social level. Eliot was living in an era that people were facing a very hard time. World War changed a lot of things for everyone. A lot of cities were destructed and a lot of people were dead and so it was basically a wasteland, and for this reason Eliot was mostly concerned about the society as a whole and how they all want to move on from this mess and not how each individual could be a better
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.
Franklin was an immigrant from the second generation. His father was the Puritan, the maker of candles, to Boston, Massachusetts, from England the year 1683. Imagine the life of Franklin, in many ways, the impact of the Enlightenment on the talented person. Science itself but it was well familiar with the books of John Locke, Lord Shaftesbury, and Joseph Addison, and other writers of the enlightenment. Learn how to apply them, Franklin logic and reason over his own separation from traditions-in particular the long-standing Protestant tradition-when threatened by suffocating
He affirmed that people could be ethical without having a religion or believing in God. Franklin’s philosophies general followed the principles of what became known as “The Age of Enlightenment. He based his philosophy on the belief that man had the ability to think for themselves and the power to do good for mankind and use their talents for the betterment of all.He concluded that people could build their societies without being told how and what to do by one government that ruled all. While Franklin was certain that there was a higher power, he also accredited man, with the capabilities of securing his own happiness through self discipline and hard work. Franklin defended freedom of religion and that the basics of most religions were to do good to others. Therefore, at some point on earth or in the hereafter, those who sought the route of crime would be punished. Thus, he respected all religions as he concludes,” These I esteemed the essentials of every religion; and, being to be found in all the religions we had in our country, I respected them
Benjamin Franklin notably contributed to the period of religious revival known as the Great Awakening. Being a printer, he was well acquainted with the texts of different religious sects, because much of the material printed at the time were Bible texts. Franklin represents a quintessential ideal of how to achieve success through education. His pursuit of perfection was driven by the values instilled in him by his Puritan father as
It is ironic how two men were both born during the same time period, in the same area, and had many similar ideas on one’s behavior, beliefs in God, and impacts on society; and they didn’t even know who they other person was! Both Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards were born in the eighteenth century, within three years of each other. They were both contemporaries and took time to write about themselves or their outlooks on life. They felt it was important to contribute to society and to share their ideas with others. Ben Franklin and Jonathan Edwards were similar and different in many ways, including their attitudes or perspectives on moral perfection, their beliefs in God, and their impacts on society throughout their life.
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.
While Patrick Henry and Benjamin Franklin both believed in patriotism and realism they both differed in the politics. They both wanted patriotism and wisdom, but one wanted a whole new government and one wanted the same government, but wanted to make it better for the people and their enemies.
Some similarities that Henry and Franklin share are they both want to gain independence from New England. They both wanted to be free and have a united society. They both agree that they must speak out against England in order to gain independence like they want.
Brands, H.W.. The first American: the life and times of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Doubleday,
Benjamin Franklin and John Winthrop—although having contrasting ideas of societal principles—both portray their visions and beliefs through their religious backings and their discussions and actions regarding charity. As Franklin aimed to portray and achieve a sense of individualism and self-discipline, and Winthrop worked to implicate a communal and interdependent society, both attempted to put these ideas into practice, ultimately reaching unexpected conclusions.
Both men were honest supporters of the British government, and expressed their opinions with the natural freedom of private letters. Those letters, by some means unknown, fell into the hands of Benjamin Franklin, who was in London as agent for several of the colonies.
Thesis: In his autobiography, Franklin is undoubtedly concerned with developing virtue and self-improvement, but relies on others as the primary frame of reference for his own progress, always measuring himself with others. This habit of comparison results in the development of vices as well as virtues.
Benjamin Franklin and Ralph Waldo Emerson propose certain principles for the conduct of life. Franklin is very clear in his proposed principles for life, as he clearly states them in his “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin”. One of his main principles is the concept of hard work. Franklin believes that the best way to succeed in life is to work hard. Hard work is a key element in how to conduct one’s life. Franklin also touches on the idea that religion allows people to live in good conduct in their lives, as it gives people good values they must uphold. This also contributes to the principle that he believes in, which
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
All these ideas were very much in the air in America and no one represented them better than Benjamin Franklin. With Benjamin Franklin as its spokesman, eighteen-century America experienced an age if enlightenment, of reason and order like England and Europe.