Worked as a printer for his brother’s print shop By the time he was 16, he was writing columns for his
brother’s newspaper Moved to Philadelphia to open his own print shop Retired at 42 Played an important role in the drafting of the
Declaration and enlisting the French to help in our war. Responsible for inventing street lamps, lightening rod,
and bifocal eye glasses and establishing the fire department and public library (among many other things)
Benjamin Franklin
In his autobiography, he describes how he
attempted to become the perfect person/citizen.
Using logic and scientific reasoning (values and elements of the time of Rationalism), he attempted to achieve perfection at 1 virtue a week, adding another virtue when he became successful at maintaining the first.
Ben Franklin’s Secret to Success
Temperance Silence Order Resolution Frugality Industry Sincerity Justice Moderation Cleanliness Tranquility Chastity Humility
13 Virtues to Perfection
He made this list in a particular order, thinking that his achievement of the previous virtue would help him accomplish the next one
He was not successful in achieving perfection (no one would be). However, he became a better man because he tried.
Franklin’s most popular and enduring contribution to American (literary) culture.
Franklin published the manuscript under the pseudonym “Richard Saunders.” The character was a dull and foolish astronomer who became thoughtful, pious, and humorous over the years.
Poor Richard’s Almanack
Almanack: an annual publication containing
information, observations, and adviceWhat was in an Almanack?Practical information about the calendarSun and moon phasesWeather (from the previous year)Agricultural adviceAphorisms
What’s an Almanack?
Aphorism: short, witty (and often humorous)
homespun sayings and observations with a message about life or humanity
(also known in our culture as proverbs and maxims)
Example:“If you would know the value of money, try to
borrow some.”
Such aphorisms were often at the top and bottom of each page of his Alamanck.
What’s an Aphorism?
Directions: Part 1
Turn to page 146 Create the following
chart in your journal (2 columns with 26 rows—one for each aphorism)
Fill in the chart, discussing the interpretation of each aphorism and how it reflects the virtues Franklin valued.
Aphorism
Meaning/Interpretation
Virtue the Aphorism reflects
Write the aphorism here
Write the meaning or interpretation here
Write the virtue (out of the 13 Franklin mentions in his autobiography) that the aphorism reflects