Johnny Jackhammer’s Reviews > The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin > Status Update

It is remarkable how much Franklin contributed to his varied communities once he fully retired from business/working.

As early as 1731, Franklin saw the confusion and harm that happens when parties split on a position and hold ground. He conceived of a United Party for Virtue, which would act with benevolance and always consider the common good when making policy and taking positions.

Again, utopian themes that can't take hold because of big power held by a comparatively few small people.

My favorite part of Franklin's biography - and the part I have read several times over the years - is his endeavor to improve himself in 13 virtuous areas. It's worth seeking out. His approach is realistic, not depriving, and sensible.

I find myself to be of like-mind to Franklin when it comes to religion and sex. (separate topics). I enjoy his definition of Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

In other words - enjoy the pleasures of sex insofar as you are mindful, engaged, and have full consent from all you are involved with.

Part 1 was enjoyable. I want the secret journal, that expands on his memory of: "that hard-to-be governed passion of youth hurried me frequently into intrigues with low women that fell in my way, which were attended with some expense and great inconvenience, besides a continual risque to my health by a distemper which of all things I dreaded, though by great good luck I escaped it."

Franklin likes his women dirty.

The stories of his formative years in the printing business have a message that holds true today: if you are reliable, if you are willing to work hard, and if you are willing to actively continue your personal growth you will succeed in most any discipline. That success may not always look the same or reach the greatest heights. But, there will be success.