The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Summary: Benjamin Franklin is best known as an historical figure, for his role in the American Revolution and experiments with electricity. In the history books he looms large as co-drafter of the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution, but the Autobiography has been lauded as The first great book written in America (Richard E Amacher: 1962) It helped to create the modern literary form of the autobiography, and has been a bestseller for two centuries, despite the fact that it was never finished or properly edited. Franklins attitude to written work is summed up in one of his own aphorisms: If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing. The Autobiography is not a chronicle of Franklins brilliance; the idea was to show how a persons life and character could become a noble one through constant self-assessment. As a scientist, Franklin wrote it almost as if it is was a report on the failures and successes of experiments in living. At no point does he claim any special mastery over how to live life, but he was committed to finding a formula that could assure a person of some success. Franklin never tries to show superiority; he speaks directly to the reader and laces it all with subtle humour, giving it the intimate feel of a fireside chat. The first part of the book details experiences with family, friends, bosses and work mates, in addition to travels and attempts to start new businesses, all of which will strike chords with todays reader. Creating the best possible self Franklin believed that virtue was worth it for its own sake, whether or not it was to the glory of God. His background was Puritan, and culturally, he remained one, self-examining and self-improving. In his famous The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Max Weber names Franklin as a key exponent of this ethic. Franklin was a printer by trade, and believed that character was the result of correcting the errata (errors) that prevent us from attaining perfection. Life is not something we must suffer through, but is ripe for endless tinkering. Franklin is seminal in the self-help literature because he disregarded any religious conception that we were naturally bad or good people, rather blank slates designed for success. Franklin scholar Ormond Seavey (OUP: 1993) has noted that It was always natural for Franklin to be trying on a fresh identity, as if he were putting on new clothes. He was truly modern in seeing that the individual was not a fixed proposition at all, but self-creating. His significant influence on later self-help writers includes Dale Carnegie, Stephen Covey and Anthony Robbins. Franklins law of constant self-improvement Franklin wrote the Autobiography as an old man, considered a great man. He had arrived in Philadelphia from Boston with a couple of shillings and three bread rolls, two of which, characteristically, he gave to a woman in need. Instinctively knowing that mastery of words would be his ticket out of mediocrity, he would persuade a friend working at a booksellers to lend him books overnight, devouring them between finishing his days work and starting another. Franklin would have agreed with the phrase leaders are readers; read at least a dozen non-fiction books a year and your life will be immeasurably enriched and improved. But as a young man, Franklin never dreamed of becoming an independence leader or ambassador to France. The reader of his life should not dwell on his actual accomplishments - they are less important than the efforts described to achieve self-mastery. Franklins message is timeless: greatness is not for the few, but the duty of all of us. We protest that we are not that special, that we dont have the talent or the drive, but Franklin knew that an ethic of constant self-improvement is the yeast that makes an individual rise. Final word Franklins prescriptions (see below) have not been without criticism. Thoreau believed that they made for a dreary race against time to amount wealth, never stopping to enjoy nature or the moment. Franklin has also been dubbed the first apostle of frugality and the patron saint of savings accounts. This comment was probably more directed to Franklins collections of aphorisms on money and thrift, The Way to Wealth. The mans life, however, does not fit the image of penny-pinching Puritanism, for it is obvious he lived with great panache. Franklin appreciated that the self-help ethic is not about earnest striving, simply the prospect of a fuller and more exciting life. Benjamins Table of Virtues (from The Art of Virtue) TEMPERANCE - Eat not to Dullness, Drink not to Elevation SILENCE - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation. ORDER - Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time. RESOLUTION - Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve. FRUGALITY - Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself; that is, Waste nothing. INDUSTRY - Lose no Time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions. SINCERITY - Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly; and if you speak, speak accordingly. JUSTICE - Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your Duty. MODERATION - Avoid Extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. CLEANLINESS - Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Clothes or Habitation. TRANQUILITY - Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable. CHASTITY - Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; never to Dullness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or anothers Peace or Reputation. HUMILITY - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 15:07:57 +0000
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