The Art of Virtue: Ben Franklin's Formula for Successful Living
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Benjamin Franklin, one of our nation’s most revered founders, was a man of uncommonly fine common sense. Although he was never able to finish his project of compiling a comprehensive compendium of practical wisdom, he was able to lay down the beginnings of this work in his later writings. Collected within this volume are Franklin's writings organized around his timeless philosophy on living well, containing his thoughts on justice, moderation, chastity, and more. The Art of Virtue is a simple, concise, and illuminating guide to living a virtuous and fulfilling life. Perfect for readers young and old alike.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was an American writer, printer, politician, postmaster, scientist, and diplomat. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin found success at a young age as editor and printer of the Pennsylvania Gazette, a prominent Philadelphia newspaper. From 1732 to 1758, Franklin published Poor Richard’s Almanack, a popular yearly pamphlet that earned Franklin much of his wealth. An influential Philadelphian, Franklin founded the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which would become the University of Pennsylvania, in 1751. In addition, Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, as well as the city’s first fire department. As revolutionary sentiment was on the rise in the thirteen colonies, Franklin traveled to London to advocate on behalf of Americans unhappy with British rule, earning a reputation as a skilled diplomat and shrewd negotiator. During the American Revolution, his relationships with French officials would prove essential for the war effort, the success of which depended upon munitions shipments from France. Over the next few decades, he would serve as the first postmaster general of the United States and as governor of Pennsylvania while maintaining his diplomatic duties. A dedicated and innovative scientist, Franklin is credited with important discoveries regarding the nature of electricity, as well as with inventing the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. A slaveowner for many years, Franklin eventually became an abolitionist. Although he failed to raise the issue during the 1787 Constitutional Convention, he led the Pennsylvania Abolitionist Society and wrote essays on the subject of slavery, which he deemed “an atrocious debasement of human nature.”
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Reviews for The Art of Virtue
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- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A lot of this book seems to be directly quoted from Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, but it provides some new material and it is a delightful, quick read, sprinkled with dry wit and many words of wisdom. I did not realize that Franklin had a hand in establishing volunteer fire brigades, the installation and cleaning of stone roadways, and the more efficient four-panel street lights. And I forgot he was the author of "Poor Richard's Almanac." Really a quite brilliant guy! However, there are times when the age Franklin lived in gets in the way...He recommends that young women have tutelage in accounting "as likely to be of more use to them and their children, in case of widowhood, than either music or dancing; by preserving them from losses by imposition of crafty men, and enabling them to continue, perhaps, a profitable mercantile house, with established correspondence, till a son is grown up fit to undertake and go on with it..." (pp 45-46)Yay! for recognizing that women are capable of math and writing and can run a business! Boo, for thinking that women should only run a business in widowhood and until a son can take over. So close....and yet so far, Benjamin!!!But Franklin redeems himself countless times by being forward thinking. For example, Franklin lost one of his sons to small pox and never forgave himself. "I long regretted him bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. This I mention for the sake of parents who omit that operation on the supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a child dies under it; my example showing that the regret may be the same either way, and therefore that the safer should be chosen." (p. 50)Hear, hear! Far too many parents are foregoing immunizations of their children and diseases once almost wiped out in the US are making a come back. Measles, for example, was considered wiped out in 2000, but there have been several outbreaks recently. “If you are unvaccinated and you come in contact with measles, there’s a 90% chance you will get it,” says Jason McDonald, a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (NYT 2014) Other diseases presenting in increasing numbers are Chicken Pox, Mumps and Whooping Cough. Is there a risk with vaccination? Yes, but I (IMHO) believe, the benefits to the individual and society far outweigh this. Go get your child vaccinated!Okay, medical rant over. We could talk religion next... ; ) Here are a few of my favorite Benjamin Franklin quotes:He that would live in peace and at ease, Must not speak all he knows, Nor judge all he sees. Act uprightly and despise Calumny; dirt may stick to a Mud Wall, but not to polish'd Marble. The honest Man takes Pains, and then enjoys Pleasures; the knave takes Pleasure and then suffers Pains. When you're good to others, you are best to your self.Clean your Finger, before you point at my Spots. (My Favorite!)