The Autobiography and Other WritingsSignet Classic, 1961 - 352 pages Benjamin Franklin's writings represent a long career of literary, scientific, and political efforts over a lifetime which extended nearly the entire eighteenth century. Franklin's achievements range from inventing the lightning rod to publishing Poor Richard's Almanack to signing the Declaration of Independence. In his own lifetime he knew prominence not only in America but in Britain and France as well. This volume includes Franklin's reflections on such diverse questions as philosophy and religion, social status, electricity, American national characteristics, war, and the status of women. Nearly sixty years separate the earliest writings from the latest, an interval during which Franklin was continually balancing between the puritan values of his upbringing and the modern American world to which his career served as prologue. This edition provides a new text of the Autobiography, established with close reference to Franklin's original manuscript. It also includes a new transcription of the 1726 journal, and several pieces which have recently been identified as Franklin's own work. |
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Page 31
... desire instruction and improvement from the knowledge of others , you should not at the same time express your- self as firmly fixed in your present opinions ; modest and sensible men , who do not love disputation , will probably leave ...
... desire instruction and improvement from the knowledge of others , you should not at the same time express your- self as firmly fixed in your present opinions ; modest and sensible men , who do not love disputation , will probably leave ...
Page 327
... Desire to be freed from it , in exact proportion to itself . 3. The Accomplishment of this Desire produces an equal Pleasure . 4. Pleasure is consequently equal to Pain . From these Propositions it is observ'd , 1. That every Creature ...
... Desire to be freed from it , in exact proportion to itself . 3. The Accomplishment of this Desire produces an equal Pleasure . 4. Pleasure is consequently equal to Pain . From these Propositions it is observ'd , 1. That every Creature ...
Page 337
... desire to know something of my Religion . It is the first time I have been questioned upon it . But I cannot take your Curiosity amiss , and shall endeavour in a few Words to gratify it . Here is my Creed . I believe in one God ...
... desire to know something of my Religion . It is the first time I have been questioned upon it . But I cannot take your Curiosity amiss , and shall endeavour in a few Words to gratify it . Here is my Creed . I believe in one God ...
Contents
Introduction | 7 |
PART ONEThe Autobiography | 15 |
PART TWO Selected Writings | 182 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
acquainted advantage affairs afterwards American American Philosophical Society appeared Art of Virtue Assembly attended Benjamin Franklin Boston brother Carl Van Doren Colonies common continued dear desire electrical electrised endeavour England expence father favour fire friends gave give glass glass harmonica Governor hand heard horses Jane Mecom JONATHAN SHIPLEY Keimer kind lately learned letter lived lodging London ment never observed occasion officers opinion paper Parliament Pennsylvania perhaps person PETER COLLINSON Philadelphia piece pleasure Poor Richard says Poor Richard's Almanack present printer printing house proposed Proprietaries province Quakers received respect sailed sect seems sent Smyth sometimes soon Stamp Act Street surprized thing thou thought thro tion took town Union Fire Company virtue waggons wise writing wrote young youth