Ben Franklin: The Root of Self-Betterment.
In Ben Franklin's autobiography he discusses the reoccurring theme of self-betterment, or improving one's current situation for the better. It was this idea of "following the American Dream" in one's life to make it more enjoyable and satisfying. In the early to late seventeenth century the focus of colonial life was on the doing of good works to get in God's good graces and to have salvation. But during the time of Benjamin Franklin which is during the eighteenth century this idea of remaining in God's good graces still remains, but there is a slight shift in thinking to more of an individualistic stand point. People started to care a little more about what makes them happy and what can benefit them just a little more. Ben Franklin is the model of how this idea of self-betterment advances. In his autobiography, he shows his commitment to self-betterment in his determination to rise out of his social class as a child, the writing of his 13 virtues, and his many public works for self improvement. .
As a child Ben Franklin was born into the common class of society, Ben showed a keen intellect at a young age but was removed from school and put to work in the candle and soap making industry for his father. This demonstrates the early belief in the importance work shown through Ben's father who was instilled with the early colonization belief of work over education. But Ben did not enjoy the work in the candle shop so his father put him to work with Ben's older brother James as a printer's apprentice. This is when Ben's determination for self-betterment evolved. Working under his brother, Ben was in contact with many early writings. Ben wanting to be something more in life then a common class worker, he would copy writing styles of a British newspaper the Spectator trying to hone his own personal writing and comprehension skills. He then would learn the valuable skill of debate.
Beyond his mastery of diplomacy, Ben Franklin was also a world famous scientist. ... Ben Franklin was born in Boston on January 17, 1706. ... Ben's real love, beyond books, was ships and the water. ... Benjamin Franklin was also a great inventor. ... When Ben Franklin retired from the printing business he had intended to read, study, and to conduct experiments. ...
The Governor of Pennsylvania wanted Ben Franklin to patent his invention, but Ben Franklin refused. ... Ben Franklin was what some would call an out doors man that's why most of his discoveries had to do with nature. ... So, in a way, Ben was a weatherman. ... Ben Franklin spent a lot of his time sailing to Europe across the Atlantic Ocean, he became very interested in ocean currents. Ben was one of the first people to chart the Gulf Stream. ...
Ben Franklin INVENTOR Ben had poor vision and needed glasses to read. ... So, in a way, Ben was a weatherman too. ... At the age of twelve, Ben Franklin first began to learn the business of printing the truth. ... PHILOSOPHER Ben Franklin is remembered as one of America's great thinkers. ... "What do you think Ben meant?...
He was the tenth son of soap maker, Josiah Franklin. ... When it comes to electricity, Ben Franklin is the first thing that pops up in most people's head. ... If Ben Franklin did not invent the battery, we would not be able to use many of the things we have today. ... Ben Franklin had so many other inventions that he had come up with. ... Ben Franklin was a man of many ideas. ...
According to Ben Franklin, treating a man as a lesser being is "an atrocious debasement of human nature." ... Having views like this leads me to think that Franklin would have supported the men who came here to work hard to earn a living. ... "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise," is Franklin's view on work. ... As Ben Franklin said, "The unhappy man, who has long been treated as a brute animal, too frequently sinks beneath the common standard of the human species," and that is exactly what is happening. ... Franklin writes, "the older I grow, the ...
Ben Franklin Benjamin Franklin, born January 17, 1706,15th child, of 17 children in the Franklin family. ... By the time he was 10 years old, Ben was working for his father. ... For five years Franklin wanted to master the printers job. ... Franklin also built the stove which is also used to this day. ... In April 1790 Ben Franklin Passed away but just 2 months before he passed away he urged a petition to end slavery as his last act in his life. ...
Ben only had two years of schooling. ... Ben studied subjects such as Arithmetic, Navigation, and Grammar. ... Franklin spent his last days in Philadelphia. ... Ben signed a memorial to the state legislature as the president of Pennsylvania. ... Benjamin Franklin was a great man. ...
Today, we honor Ben Franklin as one of our Founding Fathers and as one of America's greatest citizens. Although he was born in Boston, the city of Philadelphia is remembered as the home of Ben Franklin. Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 17, 1906, to Josiah Franklin (father), and Abiah Folger Franklin (mother). ... Two years later, Ben's father (Josiah Franklin) passes away. ... Five years later The Hutchinson Letters Affair damages Franklin's reputation; While in London, Ben receives word of his wife's (Deborah Read Rodgers) death. ...
Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston Massachusetts on January 17, 1706 to Josiah and Abiah Franklin. ... Ben went to work as a print layer and found this job to be fascinating. ... Ben was also famous as an inventor. ... A few months after his 84th birthday, Ben Franklin died on April 17th, 1790. ... Ben Franklin will always be remembered as an Inventor, Scientist, Publisher, Statesmen, and one of the Founding Fathers of America....
