Ben Franklin / Many disagree with this statement and would conclude that in reality as well as appearance Franklin was an ambitious man and intent on self-improvement. Franklin was indeed an opportunist, always looking for an opportunity to advance himself, but he was America’s first universal man. He was an individual who could do many things exceedingly well and has paved the way for many who aspire to succeed in life as he had. ‘s “erratas” have come to help the youth of America’s past and present, and will continue to help the future youth of America.
Benjamin Franklin was born into an impoverished family and was one of seventeen children. Therefore he had to accept any opportunity that was presented to him if he was ever going to succeed in life and change his status. For example, fearing that Franklin might run away to sea, his father apprenticed him to an older brother, James, a printer, who published a newspaper. Knowing that his brother would not publish anything written by a boy, Franklin wrote a clever and amusing letter, signed it Silence Do good, and slipped it under the door of the print shop at night (340).
Not knowing it was Franklin who wrote the letter, James published it and this was the beginning of Franklin’s printing career. Franklin felt his brother was more of a master to him instead of a brother and therefore he took it upon himself to “assert his freedom” and break his apprenticeship agreement (342). Therefore James made sure that no printing press would hire Franklin in Boston. Since Franklin knew of his potential to succeed he was not going to let his family ties interfere with the opportunity that awaited him. Franklin took advantage of everything that came his way but was a modest man and used it to his benefit. While he was in Philadelphia working for Samuel Keizer, his work attracted the attention of the Governor, Sir William Keith.
Governor Keith offered to set up the then 18 year old Franklin in business. He told Franklin to go to London to buy printing equipment and not to worry because there would be a letter of credit on the ship. When Franklin arrived in London, there was no letter of credit. Once again Franklin was alone, friendliness, and penniless in a strange city. But Franklin quickly found work with a printer. His only reasoning as to why the Governor did what he did was because it was a “habit he had acquired” (356).
Instead of retaliating with the Governor, Franklin dismissed the situation and in turn benefited from more experience by working with a printer. When the time finally came for Franklin to go into business for himself he was sure to use the knowledge he had acquired. At the age of twenty-two and for the next twenty years or so, Benjamin Franklin worked 6 and sometimes 7 days a week. He not only worked hard but was also a shrewd businessman. He used to wheel paper through the streets in a wheelbarrow to show the customers that he tool pride in his work. Franklin believed that “truth, sincerity, and integrity were the utmost importance to the felicity of life” (369) He was a hardworking man who was eager to pay off the debt he had acquired in starting his shop because he did not want to feel obligated to anyone or have the feeling of enslavement.
Even after his debts were all paid off and he was considered wealthy, Franklin was still as humble as always. For example, he was always seen in his plain clothes and never dressed better than anyone else because he did not want his customers to feel that he was of a higher stature (373). It was not until his wife had purchased a silver spoon and china bowl, without his knowledge, that Franklin agreed to use his wealth in this way (382). She felt that he deserved this treatment after everything he had done for the community of Philadelphia. Though Franklin argued that he never achieved the virtue of humility many would disagree. Benjamin was the only man who signed all four documents that led to the creation of the United States.
When he was a young child he never let his status keep him from acquiring what he wanted in life. He pushed himself to the limit and did not let anything or anyone, including his family, get in is way. When faced with an obstacle, such as being stranded in London with no money, he made the best of it and obtained knowledge which he then used throughout his life. When it was finally time for Franklin to become successful, once again, he did not let his status in life control who he was as a person. Franklin was a strong, humble man who knew what he wanted at a young age and accomplished more than one could ever imagine.