Benjamin Franklin's Qualities

Although Ben Franklin was a man of many talents who eventually found success I believe that his naiveté and selfishness are qualities that should not be imitated. Franklin’s viewed and tackled the world around him through the lens of a battle that needed to be conquered. To him, each challenge that he encountered was just waiting to be overcome by his many talents. Although this outlook is one that could be very beneficial and he eventually was successful in his many endeavors, he could have avoided many struggles by simply being more aware of those around him. The root of many of Franklin’s troubles was the relationships that he formed with the people around him. He was often too vain and too trusting to understand the ways in which others …show more content…
He was too trusting of Ralph’s ability to pay him back and because of this suffered a loss of money and success. Vanity was a reoccurring theme that shadowed Franklin’s achievements and only increased with his age. His meager beginnings and rise to importance were a critical constituent to this sense of superiority that surfaced in the way he conducted himself. He goes as far as to credit he is success to his vanity stating, “perhaps I shall a good deal gratify my own vanity” (R1, 1). Contrary to Franklin’s belief, the vanity that prompted him to see himself as better than others is not a positive quality, something which I know from personal experience. Throughout the course of participating in cheerleading, I have learned that being no matter how good you may be at something, vanity will only bring you down. When I first began cheer, I was one of the least skilled members of my team. Through hard work and dedication I was eventually able to rise to the top, surpassing others in tumbling and stunting skill. By the time sophomore year pre-season began, I had found a spot on varsity- something which only 4 other sophomores had managed to do. My previous inhibitions flew out the window and I began to recognize the fact that I was good. This sudden change in conduct was noticed by my friends who did not make the varsity team. My vanity created a rift in our friendships that I only realized was occurring when I overheard them talking about me. It was a …show more content…
Franklin viewed education and the constant acquiring of new information as the only way to rise above circumstance and achieve success. The knowledge that he continued to collect and store over the years of his life were truly what enabled him to rise to prominence. His love of books and appreciation for learning, things that I believe he wanted to pass on to the reader, are themes that are repeated throughout his biography,. As a member of Franklin’s ‘posterity’ I find his love of books fit to be imitated as they can be directly linked to his extreme success. Franklin explains, “From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books…which perhaps gave me a turn of thinking that had an influence on some of the principal future events of my life” (R1, 5). He uses repetition to instill the importance of a solid education upon his reader. Franklin also discusses how his love of readings lead him to make friends and improve his writing. I have found in my short sixteen years that knowledge is an extremely admirable quality in people, and you will be sought after as a friend if you possess intelligence. Any instances in which I have pursued knowledge have led to the enhancement of my life. Even throughout the process of school, the times in which I have truly approached