The Complete Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin (Volume I & II) - Get a Glimpse into the Mind of one of America's Greatest Forefathers. In his Own Words.

by Benjamin Franklin

The proposal was agreeable to me, and I consented;

persuaded me to comply, as it would give more opportunity for his improvement under my daily instructions; so I returned, and we went

These friends were afterward of great use to me, as I occasionally was to some of them. They all continued their regard for me as long as they lived.

may see how far those influenced the future events of my life. My parents had early given me religious impressions, and brought me through my

grew convinced that truth, sincerity, and integrity, in dealings between man and man, were of the

those actions might be forbidden because they were bad for us, or commanded because they were beneficial to us, in their own natures, all the circumstances of things considered. And this persuasion, with the kind hand of Providence, or some guardian angel, or accidental favourable

had, therefore, a tolerable character to begin the world with; I valued it properly, and determined to preserve it.

croaking.

mention this industry the more particularly and the more freely, though it seems to be talking in my own praise, that those of my posterity who shall read it may know the use of that virtue, when they see its effects in my favour throughout this relation.

As soon as he was gone I recurred to my two friends; and because I would not give an unkind preference to either, I took half what each had offered, and I wanted, of one, and half of the other; paid off the

friends there, who considered I had been of some service, thought fit to reward me by employing me in printing the money; a very profitable job, and a great help to me; this was another advantage gained by my being able to write.

dressed plain, and was seen at no places of idle diversion: I never went out a fishing or shooting: a book, indeed, sometimes debauched me from my work, but that was seldom, was private, and gave no scandal: and to show that I was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchased at the stores through

ran in debt, and neglected his business; upon which, all business left him; and, finding nothing to do, he followed Keimer to

all these difficulties, and I took her to wife, Sept. 1, 1730. None of the inconveniences happened that we had apprehended; she proved a good and faithful helpmate, assisted me much by attending to the shop; we throve together, and ever mutually endeavoured to make each other happy. Thus I corrected that great erratum as well as I could.

So glad he found such a good and loving wife.

subscription library;

junto,

Reading was the only amusement I allowed myself. I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolics of any kind, and my industry in my business

Proverb of Solomon, " seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men,"

disposed to industry and frugality as myself. She assisted me cheerfully in my business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop,

I had been religiously educated as a Presbyterian; but though some of the dogmas of that persuasion appeared unintelligible, and I early absented myself from their public assemblies (Sunday being my studying day), I never was without some religious principles: I never doubted, for instance, the existence of a Deity; that he made the world, and governed it by his providence; that the most acceptable service of God was the doing good to man; that our souls are immortal; and that all crimes will be punished, and virtue rewarded, either here or hereafter.

Bens spirituality.

Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion. I returned to the use of this, and went

might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined: while my attention was taken up, and care employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction, that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping; and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependance on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct. For this purpose I therefore tried the following method.

Temperance first, as it tends to promote that coolness and clearness of head which is so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and a guard maintained against the unremitting

"O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide! Increase me in that wisdom which discovers my truest interest: Strengthen my resolution to perform what that wisdom dictates!

Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me." I used also, sometimes, a little prayer which I took from Thomson's Poems, viz., "Father of light and life, thou God supreme!Oh teach me what is good; teach me thyself!Save me from folly, vanity, and vice,From every low pursuit; and fill my soulWith knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure;Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss!"

I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing, and rather insolent (of which he convinced me by mentioning several instances), I determined to endeavour to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest; and I added humility to my list, giving an extensive meaning to the word. I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it. I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of mine own.

soon found the advantage of this change in my manners; the conversations I engaged in went on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I proposed my

On his decease the business was continued by his widow, who, being born and bred in Holland, where (as I have been informed) the knowledge of accounts makes a part of female education, she not only sent me as clear a statement as she could find of the transactions past, but continued to account with the greatest regularity and exactness every quarter afterward; and managed the business with such success, that she not only reputably brought up a family of children, but, at the expiration of the term, was able to purchase of me the printing-house and establish her son in it. I mention this affair chiefly for the sake of recommending that branch of education for our young women, as likely to be of more use to them and their children in case of widowhood than either music or dancing; by preserving them from losses by

would take home his son, then but ten years of age, and bring him up to the printing business. This I

project was approved, and every member undertook to form his club: but they did not all succeed. Five

1736, clerk of the General Assembly.

He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another than he whom you yourself have obliged." And it shows how much more

governor of Virginia, and then postmaster-general, being

postmaster, to permit my papers being carried by the riders. Thus

began now to turn my thoughts to public affairs, beginning, however, with small matters. The city watch was one of the first things that I conceived to want regulation. It was managed by the constables of the respective wards in turn; the constable summoned a number of housekeepers to attend him for

but it was afterward published) on the different accidents and carelessnesses by which houses were set on fire, with cautions against them, and means proposed of avoiding them. This was spoken of as a useful piece, and gave rise to a project, which soon followed it, of forming a company for the more ready extinguishing of fires, and

order of time, I should have mentioned before, that having, in 1742, invented an open stove for the better warming of rooms, and, at the same time, saving

Proposals relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania."

University of Philadelphia.

justice of the peace

withdrew from

The house named the speaker (Mr. Norris) and myself; and, being commissioned, we went to Carlisle and met the Indians accordingly. As those people

bonfire, running after and beating one another with firebrands, accompanied by their horrid yellings, formed a scene the most diabolical that could

savages,

hospital

Have you consulted Franklin on this business? And what does he think of it? And when I tell them that I have

he is hereby required to sign an order on the provincial treasurer, for the payment of two thousand pounds, in two yearly payments, to the treasurer of the said hospital,

Gilbert Tennent, came to me with a request that I would assist him in procuring a subscription for erecting a new meeting-house. It was to be for the use of a congregation

He then desired I would at least give him my advice. That I will do, said I; and, in the first place, I advise you to apply to all those who you know will give something; next, to those who you are uncertain whether they will give anything or

was at length instrumental in getting the streets paved with stone between the market and the brick foot-pavement that was on the side next