Prominent Individual Benjamin Franklin example essay topic

A Prominent Individual Benjamin Franklin was a very prominent figure in shaping our nation. Many people look at him as a role model or just as an amazing individual. He had his faults just like every human being had, and he shouldn't be discredited because of a few minor glitches to his character. As being the only person that had signed The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris, this immediately separates him from all others. One of the things that he wrote about in Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings, was trying to be the ideal person, and even made a list of virtues to live by. His virtues were very important to his lifestyle, and he followed them to a great extent.

One of his important virtues was humility. It was simply stated: "Imitate Jesus and Socrates". From the beginning of Franklin's life, when he went to grammar school he was always interested in learning. His father took him from grammar school and his next move was to be an apprentice to his brother as a printer. With undying love for knowledge he continued to learn how to read and write well. "From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books" (Franklin 13).

He continually got books from other print shops and stores to read on the side of working. One of the writings that touched him the most was the Socratic dialogue that he read in the back of a grammar book that he borrowed. He continued his research on Socrates, and therefore the Socratic method became a driving force in his beliefs. That is why he states that we should 'Imitate Jesus and Socrates'.

Their views must have some basis in common in order for him to look up to them that much. "My intentions were to acquire the Habitude of all these virtues, I judge'd it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it one of them at a time, and when I should be master of that, then proceed to another, and so on till I should have gone throw' the thirteen" (Franklin 93). He believes that if he masters all of these virtues that he will become the perfect individual. If humility is the thirteenth one, than it must be the most important one in his life, or at least a closure to a perfect lifestyle. He made a book in which he allotted a page for each virtue. Each page had seven columns, one for each day of the week.

Every time he had faulted he put a little black dot in the day of the proper virtue that he had disobeyed. (See page 95 for a detailed description his virtue table). In fact it is shown that he wasn't a perfect man. The table alone had shown that he slipped up sixteen times in five weeks. All humans have the right to make mistakes, and he has done just that. I would not say that he is a hypocrite; I would just say that he is human and has imperfections like the rest of us do.

Another important virtue is temperance. In his definition of temperance he states", Eat not to dullness, Drink not to elevation" (Franklin 91). "I arrange'd them with the view that they stand above. Temperance first, as it tends to procure that coolness & clearness of head, which is so necessary where constant Vigilance was to be kept up, and guard maintained, against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits, and the force of perpetual temptations" (Franklin 93). It is clearly shown that he is against temperance, and he does do what he believes in. He did not do this once in his test of his virtues.

Although he did say that distributing liquor to Americans would attract them to go to church, he should not be considered a hypocrite. He states in his virtue that you should not "drink to elevation". In a literal sense he is right. Dispensing liquor to people before church would relieve some of their stress and get them more in touch with their spiritual side.

I believe that his reason was on the lines of mild drinking, not "drinking to elevation". The virtue of sincerity also is a key to his test of becoming the perfect individual. This states, "Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly" (Franklin 92). He also follows this virtue to a great extent. Throughout his life he never left a burden on anyone's shoulders, and was kind and considerate to his friends.

A friend once owed him 27 pounds, yet Franklin didn't ask his friend to repay him even once, showing that he cares much about his friends feelings and disregards his own to possibly save hard feelings between them. He may have gotten out of line with some of the things that he has said in life, but that also reflects on him still remaining a human being. I believe that every person has flaws to their character. Benjamin Franklin is not an exception. In his quest for perfection he encountered both achievements and setbacks. He lived his life not only as a teacher, but also as a student.

Franklin learned very much in his life, maybe even more than he taught to others. Franklin has a method of teaching that I believe is a proper way of getting ideas across. "Do as I say, not as I do". I feel that this statement alone totally defeats the characterization of Franklin being a hypocrite.

The flaws in Franklin's character should not be analyzed as closely as some look at them. It is all part of a learning process, which he has passed on to us as readers. Many of the setbacks that Ben Franklin has had in his life are looked at by some people to be considered flaws that contribute to hypocrisy. He was a great individual, maybe not perfect, but he did many things for the well being of our nation. He is one of the front runners of modern society with his inventions and discoveries. His experiments go beyond the major things such as electricity, every thing that he has done in his life was an experiment.

He tried to be the perfect individual and a teacher of perfection. I think he did a very good job of accomplishing his goals and we should look up to him as being not only a down to earth person, but also a person that has risen to supremacy..