Franklin’s Aphorisms Benjamin Franklin, a very famous man, on the one hundred dollar bill, one of the presidents of our United States of America. This man was not only famous for what he was, but he was also famous for some of the things that he said. These logical statements that Franklin came up with are called aphorisms. An aphorism, in definition, is a saying that expresses a general truth, principle, or observation. These are spoken in a brief and memorable form. Although Franklin has many famous aphorisms, there are a few that I want to talk about. My first aphorism is “Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.” The next saying that I want to talk about, is “One today is worth two tomorrows.” Finally, the last famous statement …show more content…
Time does it’s thing. Let’s say we have our ship, and this ship is making its way across the ocean and out of nowhere, a tiny leak appears. Gradually, water started to fill up the “hold” of the ship. Okay, well you may say that's that, but it’s okay, we are almost across the ocean. Pay no attention to this tiny leak, let’s get to our destination. Compare this to real life, where you are on a mission to get to your success state. Becoming the fastest runner in the world. Working at your success, a small problem occurs. You twisted your ankle. NO! Don’t worry about fixing the small little baby problem, you need to keep going. So you continue on your way to success. Oh no, the boat has now began getting its “forecastle” flooded from the same leak. All the treasure is ruined and lost, but we're almost at our destination so let’s keep going. Your journey to becoming the fastest is going great, as it seems. But all of the sudden, that little ankle twist problem you had before has come back, and it’s even worse. You may have fractured something. But no, let’s keep going. Do you see what is going on here? Franklin is trying to make us realize that we have to focus on the little things in life too, because these little things will come back and bite you. Gradually the little “leak” will get worse and worse. The ship sank before it got across the ocean. And your journey was unable to be completed, because of severe ankle
Just this small page revealed more to the reader than many other articles about Franklin can. A perfectionistic attitude within the usually glorified hero of America. He was very hard on himself, and clearly tried to live a frugal lifestyle. As a historic character who is often glorified, this human perspective was
It is easy to see Benjamin Franklin was no doubt an archetypal American. No one since him has ever had the same amount of success as him. He was a private businessman who made enough money to retire early and to spend the rest of his life in politics. Around this time period only the rich were able to retire early. He was industrious. Franklin continually put forth the idea of the industrious American. He had support from the middle-class who did not care if he was rich but he was a man who was self-made and worked hard. This American attitude was formed early and most of it by him. Franklin was also not judgmental came to decisions and conclusions as a businessman and politician. However, his attitude was non-judgmental with respect to a
“Though I am still of opinion that it, was a practicable scheme, and might have been useful, by forming a good number of citizens: and I was not discouraged by the seeming magnitude of the undertaking as I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes and accomplish great affairs among mankind (pg. 106).” Benjamin Franklin is an archetypal American because everybody wants to be just like him. He wrote this book to show the right way to become the perfect American. Also, he wrote this autobiography to explain to his son and to other people about how to be the ideal American. Benjamin Franklin became a deism because it helped him become more open-minded. A deism is a person that believes that god created the
Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea to make his life better by trying to be perfect in every way. This can otherwise be known as trying to reach a state of moral perfection, in which one could find themselves being happy with the life they live, and also living a pure, sinless life. It has come to be questioned if attempting to achieve moral perfection is a worthwhile goal. In the end of his experiment he ended up not being able to reach or achieve his goal but learned a very crucial, very valuable lesson. He discovered throughout the recesses of his journey that achieving his goal would be found to be impossible, but in turn he learned that many of the virtues are good to try and maintain during everyday activities and through life
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.
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.
Miss Polly Baker was a mother to five kids who were all born without being married to any of the kid’s fathers. The bench was making her pay fines for her actions and letting the men walk away without any repercussions. Although she made great points that make sense in today’s world, this wasn’t the puritan way in this day in history. Benjamin Frankin is the original author of this speech as it is a fictional character. Franklin didn’t completely believe in the puritan ways so, writing this helped him go against some of the outrageous laws. I choose to write about “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker”. I think the speech she gives to the judges shows how much of the world has changed since this time in the 1700’s. Miss Polly Baker really showed how flawed the system was back then. Even though todays system is still flawed, this speech showed how corrupt it was back in Benjamin Franklin’s time. The speech also displays how much gender inequality there was. I believe this short speech has shown us how far this old corrupt system has evolved into something more equal for both genders relating to having kids without marriage.
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,
Ben Franklin’s autobiography is a prime example of the American Dream. He starts life in a large family and is sent to find work fairly early. He grows into an educated, humble, and honorable man. Through his work in printing and writing he develops a formidable business and makes some money. Throughout his life he focuses greatly on achieving perfection, but finds that is not very practical, however it does lead him to happiness. He wrote this autobiography as a path, to live a life of virtue, mainly for his son. However, it has become a moral guide and tale of the so called American Dream. While there are several ways to interpret his writing and his character, Benjamin Franklin is one of the best examples of a pure and honest American.
The image and the values promoted in Franklin's autobiography would later come to be regarded as essential American virtues: determination, industriousness, and self-sufficiency. It was purportedly these virtues which led to his great practical accomplishments in publishing, politics, and science. In a sense, Franklin's autobiography was the first exposition of the now-famous American Dream.
His autobiography is the first example of the completion of the American Dream. Franklin talks about his life history as an example to exemplify the most significant American character and principles, like strength of mind, self-reliance, determination, hard work, penny-pinching, and dependence on a code of moral principles are the elements of achievement. He describes how he became an excellent citizen through lack of money and steady assiduousness. Franklin established the potential of life in the New World through his own rise of the social classes. His family was poor when he was a child, but despite that, he became a very rich and influential man. In addition, he declares that he pulled off his achievements through a diligent work ethic. He showed that even ordinary people in Boston possibly would, through industry, turn out to be great people of significance in America.
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
Failing to prepare and preparing to fail, the two go hand in hand. When Benjamin Franklin said this, it is not only accurate, but also extremely relevant to a person’s ordinary day. Whether it be studying for a test, homework, or even just working a job, preparation is the best way to achieve one’s ambition. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Franklin’s aphorism, is a high school student wanting to pass an exam or SOL. For most high schoolers, it is a big deal to do well on these end of the year assessments, in order to get into an elite college, or at least of college of choice. Achieving a good score on these exams is no easy task, at least not without preparation.
When reading the passage by Franklin, two aphorisms stood out to me. These two have a lot of meaning to me because they pertain to things in my life. They are The doors of wisdom are never shut and A true friend is the greatest possession.
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