The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and Poor Richard’s Almanack Book Review
The Autobiography is Franklin, published in 1791, is a partial documentation of his life; and Poor Richard’s Almanac, published in 1976, is a collection of proverbs that offer timeless advice. After reading these two books, I thought it would be suitable to write a book review that combines to two — as his autobiography exemplifies the personal adages documented in the almanac.
Part of Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography was not meant for publication, but rather as a reflection for himself and guidance for his son. Nevertheless, it has become one of the most influential and celebrated biographies today. “The next thing most like living one’s life over again seems to be a recollection of that life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing.” “It is said that his widely and faithfully read maxims made Philadelphia and Pennsylvania wealthy, while Poor Richard’s pithy sayings, translated into many languages, have had a world-wide influence.”
In the Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin lists 13 virtues to perfect himself and regulate his own conduct, and many of these virtues are reflected in “Poor Richard’s Almanac” as well. Franklin himself said, “I grew convinced that truth, sincerity and integrity were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life; and I formed written resolutions, which still remain in my journal book, to practice them ever while I lived.” “Industry, perseverance, and frugality make fortune yield.” Is a piece of central advice in his almanac. We find Franklin’s industry in setting up his printing shop, frugality in raising a family, and discipline in self-improvement (in reading, learning languages, philanthropy etc) in his autobiography.
Some of the interesting themes in the book include:
§ Arrival in Philadelphia:
Franklin’s arrival to Philadelphia was not smooth — he was exhausted from his journey and ventured into unfamiliar ground. The autobiography provides a lively recollection of the ambiance of the city back in time, and I was happily surprised that most of the street names remain major streets today — Walnut Street, Market Street, Chestnut Street etc. His humble beginnings was described as “I was in my working dress, my best clothes being to come round by sea. I was dirty from my journey; my pockets were stuffed out with shirts and stockings, and I knew no soul nor where to look for lodging. I was fatigued with traveling, rowing, and want of rest, I was very hungry; and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a shilling in copper. Then I turned and went down Chestnut-street and part of Walnut-street, eating my roll all the way, and, coming round, found myself again at Market-street wharf.”
§ Public life:
Benjamin Franklin became more involved in public service in his later years, and his public life ranged from setting up a public subscription library, establishing an academy in 1743 (College of Pennsylvania, which later became UPenn), creating the Union Fire Company (one of the first firefighting companies), and co-founding the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1751. He later yielded considerable political and diplomatic influence as colonial agent and ambassador to France, and he travelled extensively in European lands.
§ Love of reading:
Books were one of the most formative influences in his life, and his favorites were voyage and spiritual books. Franklin was an avid reader since childhood, and reading became one of the few recreation he allowed himself in adulthood. “From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. My father’s little library consisted chiefly of books in polemic divinity, most of which I read, and have since often regretted that, at a time when I had such a thirst for knowledge, more proper books had not fallen in my way.” His love of reading and industry in adulthood was exemplified in these words, “Reading was the only amusement I allowed myself. I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolics of any kind; and my industry in my business continued as indefatigable as it was necessary.”
In his later involvement in public service, he set up one of the first public libraries in history with his friends. “These libraries have improved the general conversation of the Americans, made the common tradesmen and farmers as intelligent as most gentlemen from other countries, contributed in some degree to the stand so generally made throughout the colonies in defense of their privileges. This library afforded me the means of improvement by constant study, for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus repaired in some degree the loss of the learned education my father once intended for me.”
§ Learning languages:
Franklin was an avid traveler, a polyglot, and an important figure in US-French diplomacy. In learning languages, his talent is exemplified in his autobiography, “I had begun in 1733 to study languages; I soon made myself so much a master of the French as to be able to read the books with ease. then undertook the Italian. I afterwards with a little painstaking, acquired as much of the Spanish as to read their books also. I had only one year’s instruction in a Latin school, when very young, after which I neglected that language entirely. But, when I had attained an acquaintance with the French, Italian, and Spanish, I was surprised to find, on looking over a Latin Testament, that I understood so much more of that language than I had imagined, which encouraged me to apply myself again to the study of it, and I met with more success, as those preceding languages had greatly smoothed my way.”
§ Acquaintances: Friendships, business partnerships, Family relationships
Franklin was sociable and extroverted, and he frequented people from all walks of life in London, Boston, Philadelphia, and Paris. “He frequented the roundtables hosted by literary luminaries of the day, and sought out introductions to interesting people.” In his Poor Richard’s Almanac, Franklin shared profound insights in human nature and interpersonal relationships.
In visiting family and friends, Franklin advised not to overstay your welcome, and that visits best be kept short and not too frequent. “Fish and visitors stink in 3 days. Visits should be short, like a winter’s day. Lest you are too troublesome hasten away.” “Visit your aunt, but not every day; call your brother, but not every night.”
In business relationships and partnerships, he advised to be honest, sincere, and clear in communication. “An honest man will receive neither money nor praise that is not his due.” “When a friend deals with a friend let the bargain be clear and well penned, that they may continue friends to the end.” This conduct is exemplified in his autobiography: “ Partnerships often finish in quarrels; but I was happy in this, that mine were all carried on and ended amicably, owing a good deal to the precaution of having very explicitly settled, in our articles, everything to be done by or expected from each partner, so that there was nothing to dispute.”
§ Virtues:
Many of the adages in “Poor Richard’s Almanac” are reflected in his autobiography. He was one of the earliest “PR experts”, as he not only listed these virtues and tried to exemplify them in his personal life. “I took care not only to be in reality industrious and frugal, but to avoid all appearances of the contrary.” He was, in words of critic Jon Yardley, “A self-created and self-wiled man who moved through life at a calculated pace towards calculated ends.” Virtues he valued include:
1. Industry: “I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction, which encouraged me, though I did not think that I should ever literally stand before kings, which, however, has since happened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.”
- There are no gains without pains
- Industry pays debts while despair increases them. Diligence is the mother of good luck.
- Work while it is called today for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow.
2. Frugality: “I dressed plainly; I was seen at no places of idle diversion. I never went out a fishing or shooting; a book, indeed, sometimes debauched me from my work, but that was seldom, snug, and gave no scandal; and, to show that I was not above my business, I sometimes brought home the paper I purchased at the stores through the streets on a wheelbarrow.” He married a frugal wife which was as much disposed to industry and frugality as himself. “She assisted me cheerfully in my business, folding and stitching pamphlets, tending shop, purchasing old linen rags for the paper-makers. We kept no idle servants, our table was plain and simple, our furniture of the cheapest.”
- Beware of little expense for a small leak will sink a great ship
- Tis easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.
4. Silence:
- Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
- If you would keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend.
- The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.
8. Humility
- In success be moderate, add to it wisdom and modesty.
- To be humble to superiors is duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.
9. Others: Tranquility, sincerity, moderation, temperance
10. On Friendships
- Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.
- Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.
- Friendship increases by visiting friends, but visiting seldom.
- No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
- Friendship cannot live with ceremony, nor without civility.
- Lend money to an enemy and you will gain him, to a friend and you will lose him.
