Thursday, August 31, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
As a young man having only recently reached his majority, Ben Franklin was already hip to the ways a man might improve his lot in life; among them being a welcomed conversationalist.
One of his “Miscellaneous Observations” from 1728:
“The great secret of succeeding in conversation is to admire little, to hear much; always to distrust our [...]
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Following his permanent disillusionment with Monarchic states, Ben Franklin became a firm believer in, and key architect, of the citizen government envisioned by the U.S. Constitution. He did, however, suspect the potential for mischief should these citizen politicians become too entrenched in their positions.
In his piece from 1787, “Dangers of a Salaried Bureaucracy,” Franklin warned:
“Sir, [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Franklin was at once a humorous, lighthearted person, and a serious-minded, focused individual. Among the subjects of greatest concern to him was the proper education of children, especially in effective socialization:
“Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Ben Franklin did quite well, financially, through the annual manufacture, printing and distribution of Poor Richard’s Almanack, which contained, among many other items, the following phrase:
“He that is of Opinion Money will do every Thing, may well be suspected of doing every Thing for Money.”
A great many inventions, services and humanitarian achievements were brought about [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Franklin hated war. Although his efforts helped thrust the colonies into conflict with the Crown, and later to bring about a successful conclusion, he was wary of its effects upon people.
He cautioned restraint in human affairs, and warned against meddling where one didn’t belong:
“He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to [...]
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Ben Franklin knew a thing or two about human nature, including his own. He reinterpreted well-worn expressions from many sources, allowing his contemporaries to experience them anew in their “modern” world.
His sentiments are often directed, as much to the author as to the reader, for Franklin believed everyone needed to be reminded of the pitfalls [...]
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Posted by Tim Tyler
Franklin was a very productive individual, and accomplished arguably more than any contemporary. After growing up poor, and working his way to self-sufficiency, he lived a life of relative ease, effectively “retiring” at an early age. He could have been a very rich man by any standard, but was never primarily motivated by the “happiness” [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Franklin became a staunch proponent in what became the “American” form of self-governance, but ever the pragmatist, offered the following proposition:
“If you can promote the prosperity of your people, and leave them happier than you found them, whatever your principles are, your memory will be honored.”
Was Ben Franklin correct in his assumption? Does [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
It may be said that no man more than Benjamin Franklin tried harder or longer to prevent the war for independence from beginning, and few, if any, worked more effectively to see it reach a successful conclusion.
When the conflagration finally ended, he wrote:
“At length we are in peace, God be praised. And long, [...]
Posted by Tim Tyler
Mr. Franklin held numerous positions in “public service,” before, during, and after American independence was attained. A one-time monarchist, he grew to appreciate the beauty of a citizen government, and strongly defended this “American” ethic:
“In free governments the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns. For the former, therefore, to [...]