However, Ben disliked his father's trade making candles, so Josiah set out to find him a new line of work. After passing up cutlery, Josiah noticed that Ben was particularly bookish, and had a “thirst for knowledge,” and so he put Ben to work for his brother James, a printer. Ben, at the age of 12, signed a contract to work for James for the next eight years. This line of work allowed Ben to read even more. He noted that he enjoyed particularly Bunyan, Mather, and Daniel Defoe. He borrowed many books from a local bookseller, and developed his own writing skills by imitating the style used by the professional authors. Around the same time, he noted that he befriended a "bookish lad" named John Collins, with whom he honed his debate skills via letters. Josiah, meanwhile, helped advise Ben in his writing form. He acquired a copy of the British newspaper The Spectator and imitated its style, soon leaning "method in the arrangement of thoughts the young Franklin is bookish, intently devoted to his own personal improvement.”

The two virtues that Franklin was exceptionally good at were Industry and Frugality. 6. “ Industry- Lose not time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.” There was not one time after his childhood during which Franklin was not employed, or at the very least, seeking work. The little leisure time Franklin allowed himself was spent in the pursuit of self-education, by reading books or engaging in conversation or argument with a friend. During most of his life he held down many jobs throughout the city, and had other money coming in from the numerous print shops, he had gone into partnership and paid the overhead costs for.

The foundation of Benjamin Franklin’s values, virtues, and his solid work ethic begin from his humble beginnings and his family’s ancestry. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on Jan. 17, 1706, into a religious Puritan household. The Franklins were by no means aristocrats; in fact, it is apparent that the family was of relatively humble means because all the sons went to work at very early ages. Nevertheless, Franklin was instilled as a youth with a strong work ethic. Most of Benjamin's brothers became apprentices in various trades, as was the custom in the 18th century. Benjamin, however, was put into grammar school with the intent that he would later go into the church. He quickly rose to the head of his class, and before long, he was sent to a different grammar school to develop his writing and math skills. Although he failed at math, he was very good at writing. Ben showed signs of a keen intellect from an early age as evidenced by the diligence with which he copied sections from the Spectator and other works with the intent of learning how to write himself. He also showed an interest in constantly checking himself to make sure that he was improving, and he did this by seeking the help of his kind father, Josiah.

njamin Franklin’s Autobiography presented the full picture of Franklin as a Renaissance scholar who was fascinated by all types of learning, and interested in doing whatever he could to make life a little bit better for mankind; which was based on the Puritan notion that the way to please God was by doing good to other men. Along with his “quest for moral perfection,” this interest manifested itself in public service and scientific progress. He spent the early years of his life as a printer, moralist, essayist, scientist, inventor, and a philosopher. He later went on to become a civic leader, states-man, and diplomat. Upon a man of those careers, he was a strong force in developing the new nation of America. His political views showed him to be a man who loved freedom and self-government. His common sense, his whit, and his ability to negotiate behind the scenes lent a hand in the formation of the new country.

Some topics in this essay:
Benjamin Franklin, Franklin Renaissance, Chastity Humility, Unfortunately Franklin, Industry- Lose, Deists God, Christian Charity”, Dream Franklin, Age Reason, Nevertheless Franklin, benjamin franklin, moral perfection, age reason, 18th century, american dream, franklin demonstrated, especially tried encourage, richard's almanac, franklin’s virtues, stones franklin, perfection dedicated life, solid ethic, life achieving claim, claim especially tried, achieving claim especially,