Benjamin Franklin: American Identity

Benjamin Franklin was an American Enlightenment author who paved the way for the creation of the American Identity. In his works “The Way to Wealth” and “The Autobiography,” he explains exactly what an American citizen is, and the ideals he should live by. Throughout his works, Franklin outlines an extremely challenging and sometimes near impossible set of guidelines that Americans should follow in order to better not only themselves, but also their country.
“The Way to Wealth” is work written by Benjamin Franklin under the pseudonym “Richard Saunders.” In the text, Saunders is quoting a man named Father Abraham who is quoting Poor Richard. The work starts off with a “great number of people…collected at a vendue of merchant goods…conversing …show more content…
The first on the list of virtues, and one of the most important, is Temperance. Franklin expresses here that one should “eat not to dullness [or] drink not to elevation.” This virtue calls for people to discipline themselves when it comes to overindulgence in food or drink so that they will be able to control themselves in other parts of their lives. Silence is the second virtue on Franklin’s list. Here he advocates for individuals to speak only when what he or she has to say would contribute to the betterment of those around him, or just knowing when to, for lack of a better phrase, keep his mouth shut. Franklin feels that conversation should be intellectual and stimulating and anything that falls short of this is unacceptable. Resolution is a virtue that calls for people to accomplish what they set out to do, or “resolve to perform what [they] ought.” It is Franklin’s desire that the American citizen will complete the tasks that they say they will without a fuss. Another virtue on the list is Frugality. Here, Franklin sates “make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e., waste nothing.” Essentially, he is asking citizens to spend more than they own and take very good care of their money. Industry is probably one of the most important virtues on the list as Franklin mentions its vitality in a number of his works. He believes that Americans should “lose no time,” and “be always employ’d in something useful.” Hard work and efficiency were two things that were hugely important to Franklin, and this virtue and it’s call for a “cut [of] all unnecessary actions. Justice, the eighth idea on the list is, “wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.” By this Franklin is trying to express his desire that Americans never intentionally harm others or ignore their obligations to each other. Humility,