Franklin's Wisdom and Virtue

I just finished the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. I enjoyed it. The book is a testament to hard work and the virtues Franklin credits for his success.

It starts out with some words about his family and then tracks his beginnings in work, his career as a printer, and how he became a person of note in Philadelphia. Franklin wrote his Autobiography in spurts several years apart. The work was not finished; it cuts off long before the Revolution. However Franklin applies hindsight and mentions events and behaviors that led to good or bad results.

I read the Penguin edition which was edited and with an introduction by Kenneth Silverman. It included a few other notable works of Franklin and short writings that provide a fuller picture of the man who some called "The First American." In "Way to Wealth" many adages from Poor Richard's Almanack are repeated as a sure path to success. "An Edict by the King of Prussia" ridicules England's actions toward the colonies by imagining the King of Prussia making similar demands upon England. There is even "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress," which explains why older woman make the best mistresses. The edition included "A Miscellany of Franklin's Opinions" which was excerpts from letters that dealt with different topics. The Philadelphia gentleman advocated the turkey as the national bird over the bald eagle because the eagle made a dishonest living by stealing from other animals.

Franklin had a list of virtues he desired and worked toward. In his own words they are:

1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.


2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.


3. Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.


4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.


5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.


6. Industry. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.


7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.


8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.


9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.


10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloths, or habitation.


11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.


12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.


13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

As Franklin said, he never attained perfection in all of these areas, but the effort he put in made him a better person. From my limited reading, I would describe Franklin as a non-denominational Christian who was not convinced of the divinity of Jesus.

Now a story from my own experience. One night in the Yee Tenement House I was talking with Derek about Mr. Franklin and how both of us liked his sayings and works. Derek repeated "Early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." However, I was thinking of a different Franklin quote, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

All of Franklin's works are available to read online.