Mildly in Love with Ben Franklin

Author: Megan Licious | |

If all you know about Benjamin Franklin is the story of the kite, key, and lightning, you are being cheated.

Franklin was a 6 foot stud who worked hard who loved to sing and loved to flirt. He made sure he was seen working hard; he retired at the age of forty, deciding he had enough money. At that point, he turned to inventing, singlehandedly shaping the way we live today. He never patented any of his inventions, not wanting any more money and simply hoping they’d be distrusted for the good of the people.

He remained loyal to the British empire, seeking to mediate between American and British interests, until he found himself caught in the accusations of a bitter British court. He had entered British, and left American.

From then, he fought for American independence. The oldest member at the Constitutional convention, fellow members often sent spies to follow Franklin after hours to ensure he didn’t drunkenly divulge convention secrets. He was the one finally charged with the task of going to France and persuading the government to support the American Revolution. He charmed his way into favor—countless parties are recorded, countless love letters found; his influence became enormous. Without France’s support, the American Revolution would have been lost.

Behind all of his great service was a drive for good. As a younger man, he narrowed all of man’s desirable qualities into thirteen virtues, setting out to conquer all thirteen in one week. The virtues were, as he listed and defined them:

Temperance - Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Silence - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
Order- Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
Resolution - Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
Frugality - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
Industry - Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Sincerity - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

Justice - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Moderation - Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
Tranquility - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
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.

Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

In honor of his name, I too will begin a week long exploration of these traits beginning on July 4th. It's one thing to study a man, it's another to walk in his shoes.