Franklin begins his autobiography writing a letter for your son - William, Governor of New Jersey.
He wrote from Twyford, England.
In the year of 1771, during retirement, and 13 years later.
Motive: Franklin wishes to pass information and notes to his son and family about his journey in life. He considers important that his son could have the knowledge about his ancestors and learn with his errors and right decisions.
Franklin wishes a second chance to correct some faults in his life, because this is impossible, try make a recollection by events "to putting it down in writing".
He recognizes that at age of 65 it is normal to be nostalgic.
In his autobiography, Franklin acknowledges all goodness coming from God, fortune or blessing during victories or afflictions.
Franklin writes about his childhood, teen - when starts his professional life, his disagreement with his brother, the departure from home and maturity.
The most interesting part, in my opinion, is a list of virtues that Franklin built, aiming at self-growing. To this, make a list with thirteen virtues that he considers fundamentals: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility.
His intensive pursuit of virtues is, at the end, funny. When adult, Franklin concludes “I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined". However, he recognizes that the endeavor made him a better man.
At the end of his life, Franklin reaches certain conclusions:
- A benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance;
- Search perfection is ridiculous and ambitious.
Franklin ends his autobiography with a hilarious sentence about pride:
"Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself...For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility”.
Fabio, 04/29/11.
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