Benjamin Franklin Way To Wealth Analysis

This selection gives interesting insight into the world of Franklin, relating both to his everyday habits, and his reactions to the Enlightenment. There was one very interesting, but small segment, towards the end of the selection. It read, ‘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 .. . . But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined.’ This particular section of the source was very revealing of Franklin’s character. Throughout the entire paper, Franklin had discussed different aspects of his upbringing, and current lifestyle, however this quote reveals more about the man behind the paper than anything else. Yet, he spent most of the text comparing his life to religious teachings, and the paths that the Enlightenment opened.

     First published by Benjamin Franklin in 1732, “Poor Richard’s Almanack” was a guide to both weather forecasts and wise sayings. Franklin used the pseudonym Richard Saunders in writing the text, which became an annual publication up until 1757. Response to the almanac was tremendous, and it sold as many as 10,000 issues a year. Second only to the bible, “Poor Richard’s Almanack” was one of the most popular and purchased publications in colonial America. The almanac stressed the two qualities Franklin found to be essential to success, industry and frugality. Benjamin Franklin wrote this in hope of having a positive effect on the colonies.

The allusion to readings beyond the Bible is a great indicator of the importance of education, to Bradstreet and Franklin. Books and education play an enormous part in Franklin’s life. In fact, the founding of the first circulating library solidifies the importance. The extent of his education is demonstrated with the allusion to other writers and philosophers such as Anthony Collins, Cotton Mathers, and John Bunyan ; in doing so, he is boasting his education and encouraging others to emulate him. Franklin’s’ “... first collection was of John Bunyan’s Works…” and reveals that he is reading beyond religious scripture(Franklin 312). As part of the Enlightenment movement, it was easier for Benjamin Franklin to read and mention other

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.

The affliction of vanity appears regularly throughout both pieces of work by Franklin and Woolman. The two men seem to be hampered by this vice of pride and wishing to possess humility. Benjamin Franklin addresses this burden of appearing vain as an issue and aims to improve himself with his constituted principles. He lists “Humility” as his last virtue he aspires to develop so as to “Imitate Jesus and Socrates” (Franklin, 79). How ironic of Franklin to want to be humble, yet strive for moral perfection! Franklin so much as prides himself on this list of virtues that heavily influences his life. However, he accordingly considers pride to be one of the most difficult to overcome considering one can “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...” (Franklin,

Equally important to Franklin’s quest of his and other’s self-improvement is his use of personal illustrations as a means of educating his readers. He frequently points out the errors of his life, which he trusts will serve to benefit others by their not making the same mistakes. One example of Franklin’s humble admissions is concerning the woman his friend James Ralph was involved with. Upon Ralph leaving her, he recommended her to Franklin’s care. The woman, Franklin writes, was often in trouble and asked to borrow money from him. He recounts, “ I grew fond of her company, and being at that time under no religious restraint and presuming upon my importance to her, I attempted familiarities (another erratum) which she repuls’d with a proper resentment and acquainted him with my behavior. This made a breach between us.” (Franklin, p.42) Franklin realized that the mistake he made not only cost him the money Ralph owed him, but it

Franklin, himself climbed the ranks society “having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which [he] was born and bred to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world” (Franklin 27). He had been raised by a humble middle class family, not being promised much wealth or land, forcing him to make a name for himself. Franklin, a man of the enlightenment,

One of the most inspiring founding fathers of the United State has left the world a legacy of his to his son. Often viewed as the ‘jack-of-all-trades”, Benjamin Franklin wrote his own autobiography to recall the major events of history as he took part in them, whether he was successful or a failure. His autobiography was written in three different periods in his lifetime: 1771 in England (7), 1783 at France (100), and 1788 in America (118).

“A Model of Christian Charity” is a sermon written in 1630 by John Winthrop, a Puritan leader. “The Way to Wealth” is an essay written in 1758 by Benjamin Franklin. Winthrop gives his sermon on the Arbella while its members are sailing for the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the New World. Franklin’s essay consists of proverbs and advice given throughout his yearly almanac titled “Poor Richard’s Almanack”. Both texts discuss the idea of success and how one can attain it.

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.

In the story "The Way to Wealth" by Benjamin Franklin, Franklin believed strongly in hard work and thought that all men should work hard to flourish. Another connection between the two characters in the two stories is that they both happened to be hard workers. In "The way to Wealth" Poor Richard was a fictional character who wrote useful advice in the book "Poor Richard's Almanac". He says that "while laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him" (Franklin, pg.2). In this quote Poor Richard is stating how he ridicules laziness and sloth, Richard is a hardworking man with knowledge. In contrast to that in the story "Bartleby", Bartleby is a discreet, anti-social little man. Bartleby works well, and is always in the office working hard. As stated in the story "At first Bartleby did an extraordinary quantity of writing" (Melville, pg.11).This quote to me shows that Bartleby was not a lazy man. The lawyer hired him, because he seen the hard work that Bartleby possessed, stating that he was the strongest scrivener that he had ever learned of or

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

The community of the English colonists in America was mainly agrarian and many citizens made their living by farming. Benjamin Franklin published Poor Richard’s Almanac annually from 1733 to 1758 to provide practical information such as weather forecasts court dates and the dates of religious holidays to farmers as well as city dwellers. So, it had popular appeal to rich and poor, educated and uneducated. The fact that it crossed economic and cultural boundaries made it popular reading then and contributes to its appeal even today as scholars continue to analyze its pages for theological, political and economic value.

Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the most realistic and wisest men in the history of America. He is known for his stand on the necessity for the individual to work hard and to be frugal in order to reach success. In the presented essay, “The Way to Wealth”, he makes mention of various aphorisms and pieces of advice which express his views and opinions about morals, ethics, life, taxes, debts, etc. Among those pieces of advice that he offers his audience, we find the phrase “employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.” Although much of his work is devoted to the importance of industry and of frugality, here Franklin discusses the difference between being lazy and having leisure. He places emphasis on how without working hard and in a conscious way, the individual will never be able to have time for pastimes or leisure. Instead of viewing laziness and fun as the ultimate goal an individual must aim for, Franklin advices about using the time in a profitable way. To him, labor brings more comfort than idleness or laziness, as when the individual is idle or bored, he manages to commit mischief. Moreover, it is his belief that one cannot just be in a useless position the whole time, lest poverty and necessity strike. Therefore, Franklin argues, it is important to find useful things to do with one’s time, but things that bring enjoyment, in order for one to work hard at them. Once the

It was the year 1706 in Boston, MA when Benjamin Franklin entered the world. Birthed after fourteen other siblings, Franklin's family structure is only one deciding factor in the way that this legendary tale pans out. A hero of American Revolution, this novel depicts 18th century realism accurately while logging Franklin's personal conception on human nature and social community. Many look at Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography as your typical rags to riches tale yet, the truth and falsehood throughout the pages is unknown, raising many questions and concerns. As this book was written in segments over a stretched period of time, we must analyze this account of his life, the struggles and successes which took place, and the outcome of such