Ben Franklin (Intro.- Chapter 13)

Foreword

The most basic definition of entrepreneur is “one who undertakes an enterprise,” a person who founds and directs an organization.

The things Ben created were for the public weal, not for personal profit. “knowledge was not the personal property of its discoverer, but the common property of

all. As we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously”

Introduction (The Founding Father of American Business)

Ben expected his autobiography to be of more use to young businesspeople Ben uses his autobiography to promote virtues like honesty, hard work, thrift, doing good

to others, and having a good reputation. 3 major parts to book

-1st: Bens upbringing & lessons he learned on his way to becoming a business owner (first 20 yrs. Of his life)-2nd: yrs. As a printer in Philadelphia & ends when he retires from the business in 1748.-3rd: Ben applying his business knowledge to politics & diplomacy

PART I (The Making of an Entrepreneur)

Chapter 1 (Why Bother Writing Your Own Story)

Summer of 1771 (65 yr. old Ben) started writing his autobiography in England at the home of Dr, Jonathan Shipley, Bishop of St. Asaph’s.

If given the opportunity to live his life again Ben would, (he would want to change 2 things though) but even if those things could not be changed he would still live his life again. 1. Be able to correct the faults of his 1st life in his 2nd life2. Avoid accidently harming some of the people he had harmed.

~Poor Richard once said, “If you wou’d not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.”~

Chapter 2 (Franklin Means Freedom)

Ben the youngest son of the youngest son for 5 generations (meaning he’s not inheriting anything but in America he can become wealthy on his own)

Family lived in Ecton in Northhamptonshire for the last 300 years Family had maintained a blacksmith business with the eldest son always being trained to

continue the business Bens father=candle maker

~Poor Richard once said, “A fine genius in his own country, is like gold in the mine.”~

Chapter 3 (Credit to Whom Credit is Due)

Fathers name= Josiah 1683 (Josiah, with wife & 3 kids crossed the Atlantic from New England) Josiah had 17 children Bens mother was Abiah Folger (daughter of the 1st settlers of New England Peter Folger)

~Poor Richard once said, “think of three things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.”~

Chapter 4 (The Ending Legacy of Moral Instruction)

Ben went to Boston’s free Latin school (8 yrs. Old)

Bens dad changed his mind because of the high cost of college and sent Ben to a school for penmanship & arithmetic

Age 10 Ben had to help is father with the soaps and candles Ben wanted to be a sailor but his father would not let him (he did learn how to swim at a

early age though) Ben used stones that were meant to build a house to build a pier for him and his friends

and he got in trouble (his father told him nothing could be enduring useful that was not honestly done)~Poor Richard once said, “The Doors of Wisdom are never shut.”~

Chapter 5 (Early Employment and My Introduction to Various Trades)

Bens dad took him on walks in hopes of Ben finding a trade he likes Benefits of the walks

1. Continue to enjoy watching talented craftsmen at work with their tools2. By watching them, Ben learned how to do odd jobs around his own house when a

handyman was not available 3. The ability to build simple things because of the knowledge of how things work

~Poor Richard once said, “He that hath a trade, hath an estate.”~

Chapter 6 (First Attempt at Self-Improvement)

One of franklins sisters says she recalls him reading the bible at age 5. Signed a apprenticeship contract with his brother James at age 12 Ben would borrow books and send the night reading so he could return the books the

morning after they were borrowed Mathew Adams (a frequent customer & local tradesman) let Ben borrow his books- which

introduced Ben to poetry “The Lighthouse Tragedy”- one of Bens first poetic ballads that James asked him to

compose so they could sell it for money Ben considers his ability to write prose one of the keys to his success. Ben needed to work on his eloquence, structure and clarity

How he did this-purchased some Spectator magazines and tried to copy the writing style-turned to poetry to improve his vocabulary ~Poor Richard once said, “By Diligence and Patience, the mouse bit it two the cable.”~

Chapter 7 (Experimenting with Vegetarianism)

16 yrs old. Thomas Tryons book, “The Way to Health, Wealth, and Happiness” Ben made o deal with his brother that if James gave Ben the money he payed others to

feed him Ben would feed himself, Ben found out he could feed himself with ½ the money his brother gave others to feed him and he used the other half to buy more books~Poor Richard once said, “To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.”~

Chapter 8 (Where We Learned “Win Friends and Influence People”)

stop arguing my side and start asking questions instead speak from a stance of curiosity rather than certainty arguing creates immediate defensiveness and prevents the other party from even hearing

your side of the matter men should be taught as if you taught them not, and things unknown proposed as things

forgot~Poor Richard once said, “Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason.”~

Chapter 9 (The Yearning for Independence)

alternate identities1. “Poor” Richard Saunders 2. Miss Polly Baker 3. Silence Dogood (a sharp-tongued widow)

The New England Courant, James paper, the 2nd paper to be printed in America James beat Ben

~Poor Richard once said, “if you ride a horse, sit close and tight, if you ride a man, sit easy and light.”~

Chapter 10 (Breaking Loose to Freedom)

James sent to prison because one of their political writings offended the assembly and James wouldn’t give up who it was written by.

Assembly ordered that James should not print the “New England Courant” anymore The paper was printed under Benjamin Franklins name and there was a full discharge on

the back of Bens indenture papers written in his Brothers handwriting. (those were only for show though and Ben was forced to sign new ones)

Ben ran away from his brother~Poor Richard once said, “he’s a fool that makes his doctor his heir.”~

Chapter 11 (Testing My Determination)

James made sure Ben could not get any other work Ben went to New York City Collins(Ben’s friend) told the ship captain that Ben had gotten a girl pregnant and that if

he was seen in public he would have to marry her to get Ben on the ship. Ben breaks his vegetarian diet. “if fish can eat one another, why can’t we eat fish? Ben saves a Drunken man from drowning and then man tells Ben to dry out his book

(Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan printed in Dutch) Ben bought gingerbread for a old women and stayed with her until he found a boat to

Philadelphia~Poor Richard once said, “You may delay, but time will not.”~

Chapter 12 (My Unlikely Beginning in Philadelphia)

The first thing Ben bought in Philadelphia was 3 loaves of bread (Ben gave the other 2 loaves to a women and her child)

The Quakers were the first to show Ben hospitality when he arrived in Philadelphia. ~Poor Richard once said, “he is ill- cloth’d who is bare of virtue.”~

Chapter 13 (My First Job)

Both Bradford and Keimer were not qualified for their jobs. Bradford was illiterate and Keimer was a poor writer and new nothing about how to work the press.

Ben was lodging with Bradford but Keimer didn’t like this so he arranged that Ben lodge with the Read family.

Ben works for Keimer~Poor Richard once said, “Fools make feasts and wise men eat ‘em.”~

Ben Franklin Chapter 14-27

Chapter 14 (Big Promises from a Fancy Politician)

John Collins- only one of Bens friends who knew where he was Robert Holmes- Bens brother in law, showed Bens letter to the governor Sir William Keith- provincial governor of Pennsylvania, told Ben he should start his own business Colonel French- was with the governor when the governor had lunch with Ben for the first time

*Sir William Keith tells Ben to start his own business and shows him the outline and says he will write a letter of recommendation to Bens father that he will not be able to refuse*

~Poor Richard once said, “the favor of the great is no inheritance”

Chapter 15 (Returning Home to Boston)

Spent 2 weeks on the water Been gone from Boston 7 months James- Bens brother was offended by his visit Boston had paper currency Ben only 18 not a man for 3 more years John Collins decided to join Ben in Philadelphia. Ben’s dad refused but said that if he spends his money modestly he might have enough to open his own business by the

time he is 21. Ben left with his parents blessing

~Poor Richard once said, “In success be moderate”

Chapter 16 (More Mistakes and Bigger Promises)

Vernon (James friend) needed to collect 35 pounds from someone in Pennsylvania. So Ben went with a collection order. Ben met 3 women on his trip and 2 ended up being prostitutes Collins was extremely gifted in math but a drunk. (he gambled in New York and lost all his money) William Burnet- the provincial governor of New York conversed with Ben about books and authors. Collins borrowed a lot of Bens $. Collins refused to row and so Ben threw him overboard. Collins took a job with a West India captain who was looking for a tutor for the sons of a gentleman in Barbados. (Ben never

saw him again) Sir William believed everyone should be judged on their own merits Sir William had a tendency to make promises he never intended to keep Ben going to England

~Poor Richard once said, “He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”

Chapter 17 (The Art of Upward Influence)

Socratic method while arguing with Keimer Keimers role: preach the doctrines Bens role: thwart anyone who questioned them 2 of Keimers doctrines came from the Mosaic Law 1. “thou shalt not mar the corners of thy bread” 2. Sabbath Ben will help if Keimer trys to be a vegitatian

~Poor Richard once said, “Eat to live, and not live to eat”

Chapter 18 (My Friends and Pastimes)

Watson- piou, sensible man of great integrity Osborne- sincere, affectionate but could be too frank in matters of literary criticism Ralph- intelligent, genteel in his manners, & the most eloquent talker (wanted to be a famous poet) A merchant can succeed through hard work and a good reputation but a poet is subject to fickle literary public Compose a new version of Psalms 18 (a poem describing the descent of a deity) Played a trick Ben read Ralphs poem as his own Watson died in bens arms Osborne went to the west indies and became a wealthy lawyer but died young

~Poor Richard once said, “Great talkers, little doers.”

Chapter 19 (Departing for London)

Miss Deborah Read Governor and Riddlesden have scheme to blacken the reputation of mr. Hamilton

~Poor Richard once said, “promises may get thee friends, but nonperformance will turn them into enemies.”~

Chapter 20 (Making the Best of it in London)

The London of 1724 was driven by “trade, commerce, and the stock market” Ben found work at the print shop of Mr. Palmer

-spent his money going to plays with Ralph Regrets telling Deborah not to expect him back any time soon 2nd edition of Wollastons book “Religion of Nature” Wrote a pamphlet to it where he critiques it called “A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain” dedicated it

to James Ralph

-latter thought printing the pamphlet was a mistake and burned as many copies as he could Wilcox- neighbor in little Britain, bookseller (had many used books that he let Ben use) (gave Ben the idea for the library) Mr.Lyons- author of “The Infallibility of Human Judgment” and a surgeon Dr. Mandeville- author of “Fable of the Bees”

~Poor Richard once said, “beware of little expenses, a small leak will sink a great ship.”~

Chapter 21 (Another Friendship Ends)

Franklins move to John Watt’s print shop did more to develop his skills as a printer than anything else he did in London. Ben & Ralph no longer friends Ralph changed his name to Franklin Ben tried to sleep with Ralphs girl

~Poor Richard once said, “a false friend and a shadow, attend only while the sun shines.”~

Chapter 22 (Beer and Productivity)

Power of freedom and reason Chose to work the press so he could enjoy the bodily exercise “Water American” “Print Shop Ghost”

~Poor Richard once said, “he that drinks fast, plays slow.”~

Chapter 23 (More Tales of My Frugality)

“a penny saved is a penny earned” A good relationship is often the best leverage in negotiation Ben ended up paying less than ½ of what he started out at for lodging

~Poor Richard once said, “would you live with ease, do what you ought, and not what you please.”~

Chapter 24 (The End of the London Adventure)

Wygate- more educated than most printers, wanted to own his own print shop someday too. Ben taught Wygate how to swim Ben swam from Chelsea all the way back to Blckfryar’s (3½ miles) Wygate wanted himself and Ben to travel all over Europe and support themselves by working in the print shops Mr. Denham wanted Ben to return to Philadelphia with him and be his clerk and then he would help Ben set up a business in

the west indies Mr.Denham paid back his London debt plus interest Sir William Wyndham wanted Ben to teach his boys how to swim but Ben had to turn him down because he was leaving in a

few days-made Ben wonder if he should stay in England and open a swimming school. (he probably would have stayed if Wyndham had offered sooner)

Spent 18 months in London James Ralph kept him poor and owed him a amount equal to half his current annual wage Improved the quality of his social network.

~Poor Richard once said, “All things are easy to Industry, All things are difficult to sloth”~

PART II

THE RISE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR

Chapter 25 (Setting a Course and Staying Flexible)

Voyage back to America= new beginning Those who write about poetry teach us the greatest poems always begin with a grand design or plan. Ben’s plan

1.be extremely frugal for some time, until he has paid all his debts 2. speak truth, avoid giving people expectations that cant be met3. work hard at what ever he ends up doing (hard work and patience are the most certain ways to wealth) 4. never speak poorly of anyone (whenever possible speak all the good I know of everyone)

Changes -Sir William Keith no longer governor (was replaced by Major Gordon) -Deborah Read married a man named Rogers, a potter, brief & unhappy marriage -Keimer moved his shop to better quarters

Denham was like a father to ben After Ben turned 21 both him and Denham became severely ill, Ben had pleurisy

-Ben’s recovery brought him disappointment that he would have to go through the wretched process of dying again someday

Denham left Ben a small legacy in his will Ben went back to Keimer’s shop Keimer promised Meredith and Potts that if their skills improved her would rise the wages 1 shilling every 3 months Keimer’s purpose of hiring Ben at such high wages was so Ben could train Keimers lower wage employees George Webb: Oxford scholar, wanted to be a actor They did not work on Sundays or Saturdays He became a jack-of-all-trades

~Poor Richard once said, “look before, or you’ll find yourself behind.”~

Chapter 26 (The Junto- A Club for Mutual Self-Improvement)

June-tow: Bens club for continued self- development and for gathering strategic knowledge. -met every Friday-every member would take turns producing 1 or more position papers on any point of morals, politics, or science to be discussed -once every quarter a member could compose & read an original essay on a topic of his choice

1 member=chief facilitator during debates (conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry Speak the truth\ Anyone expressing their opinions as firm, or habitually contradicting another’s statement would pay a small fine Junto was the best school of philosophy, morality, & politics that then existed in Pennsylvania

~Poor Richard once said, “He that won’t be counsell’d, can’t be help’d.” ~

Chapter 27 (Breaking with Keimer and Making My Own Plans)

Ben quits working for Keimer Meredith and Ben make a business deal (combine Meredith’s capital with Ben’s abilities Ben temporarily go’s back to working for Keimer Ben invented the first copper plate seen in this country for the New Jersey job Worked at Burlington for 3 months

~Poor Richard once said, “Keep thy shop, & thy shop will keep thee.”~

Ben Franklin (Chapter 28- Chapter 39)

Chapter 28 (Reflecting on My Morals) Person’s principles & values are central to determining his success. Franklins character development At 15 he had doubts that God ever revealed himself to humankind in person or

Holy Scripture Ben became a Deist After thinking about his actions toward Vernon and Deborah Read Ben began to

doubt that Deism could serve as the foundation of his moral thinking Pamphlet on morality in London these lines from Dryden on first page

Whatever is, is right. Mankind is almost blind andSees but part of the chain, the nearest link:His eyes cannot carry to the perfect beam,That holds the weight above

If God has infinite wisdom, goodness, & power everything in the world must be good as well ~Poor Richard once said, “Success has ruin’d many a man.”~

Chapter 29 (Getting Started)

“Whom can I help today?” Thomas Godfrey: glass maker 1st customer: needed 5 shillings worth of printing Favors done for young beginners are long remembered and always repaid Quakers printing some of their history Good work ethic Samuel Mickle: negative person who made Ben depressed

~Poor Richard once said, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”~

Chapter 30 (A Strategic Response to a Competitive Betrayal)

Bens paper: the Pennsylvania gazette in 1729.(most widely read paper in the colonies that decade)

Ben paid back Mr. Vernon Ben told Webb to keep the paper a secret but Webb betrayed Ben Ben tried to counteract Webb by publishing witty essays in the Bradford paper under the

name Busy Body Keimers paper lasted for 9 months with 90 subscribers Keimer sold his paper to Ben William Burnet: governor of Massachusetts Mr. Hamilton: lawyer who Ben helped on his trip to London 15,000 pounds of paper money (6 years earlier) “The Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency” Ben prints the paper money for New Castle Apprentice: son of Aquila Rose Meredith was useless

~Poor Richard once said, “Three may keep a secret if two are dead.”~

Chapter 31 (Setting Up My Own Shop at Last)

Meredith’s dad promised to pay for the start up costs of the business but ended up only paying 100 pounds. They got sewed for not being able to pay the 100 more pounds owed in time.

Bens friends offer: advance him all the $ necessary to settle the debt and then buy out his partner (William Coleman & Robert Grace)

Ben felt like he owed the Meredith family great obligation and he would go as far as possible with them.

Merediths father disappointed but also genially unable to pay the debt Meredith wanted to go to North Carolina to farm

-Meredith would leave Ben the whole partnership if Ben took care of the debts, paid back his initial 100 pounds, pay a few of his own personal debts, give him 30 pounds, and a new saddle .

Ben was 24 years old at the time~Poor Richard once said, “Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power” ~

Chapter 32 (The Power of a Good Reputation)

Design your institutions assuming you may not always be the one in power

David Harry: Keimers old apprentice, bought Keimers old stuff and set up shop (ended up being a bad business man)

Bradford used his title as postmaster to forbid his riders from delivering Ben’s paper by post (people also thought that because he was the post master he would be more knowledgeable about the news there for his paper stayed popular)-no new Bradford did this because Ben got his papers delivered by post by paying Bradfords riders on the side.

Latter when Ben became post master he made sure any newspaper willing to pay the fee could send their papers through the post~Poor Richard once said, “Diligence is the mother of good luck.” ~

Chapter 33 (Getting Married)

Ben and Deborah Read formed a common-law union in September 1st 1730 (stayed together until her death in 1774)

A child turned up on Bens doorstep a few months after Deborah moved in and Deborah took him in- They named him William Franklin, and he opposed his father during the Revolutionary

War Bradford told the family of the girl Ben was courting that the printing business was both

unprofitable and costly to maintain, as a result the family no longer approved of the courtship -Ben asked the family for 100 pounds to marry their daughter

Ben didn’t further pursue the girl and the Godfrey family took it as a insult and moved out of Bens house

Most people believed the printing business to be a poor one ~Poor Richard once said, “Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half-shut afterwards.” ~

Chapter 34 (Founding the First Library in Philadelphia)

Bens club meet in a rented private room for their Friday meetings (experimental library) Ben envisioned a larger library funded on membership fees Found 50 people interested in reading and wealthy enough to pay the 40 shilling initiation

fee, & commit to paying 10 shillings a year thereafter for the next 50 years Library open 1 day a week Members charged double the value of the book if they failed to return it on time Mr. Brockden, “You are all young men, but I predict that none of you will live to see the

end of you 50-year commitment” Not wise to present oneself as the champion of any public project that might improve your

reputation above that of your neighbors especially when you need your neighbors cooperation to make that project a reality ~ Poor Richard once said, “The Noblest question in the world id what good may I do in it?” ~

Chapter 35 (Proverbs and Productivity)

Published poor Richard almanacs December 1732 continued series for 25 years. Concentrates more on style

Reading only amusement he allowed himself (focused all his energies on his print shop) “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before

obscure men.” “He that would thrive, must ask his wife.” Deborah bought fine china for Ben

~Poor Richard once said, “God helps them that help themselves.” ~

Chapter 36 (Thoughts on Religion)

Religiously educated as a Presbyterian Sunday= Bens study day Greatest service to God is our doing to other people Religion should inspire and promote moral behavior or publicly confirm its existence when

privately practiced “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”-bad pastor said this was about1. Keep the Sabbath Day holy2. Read our bibles everyday3. Go to church every time there is an assembly 4. Participate in the Holy Communion5. Respect God’s ministers

“Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion” ~Poor Richard once said, “ The master piece of man, is to live to the purpose.” ~

Chapter 37 (My Plan to Achieve Moral Perfection)

“The Art of Virtue” :Ben’s grand scheme for achieving moral perfection Bens 13 moral virtues

1. SELF-CONTROL: Avoid dullness from overeating. Avoid drunkenness from overdrinking.2. SILENCE: Say only those things that benefit others or yourself. Avoid all petty

conversation. 3. ORDER: Keep all your possessions in their proper place. Give each part of your business

its necessary time.4. DETERMINATION: Commit to what you ought to do and always carry out your

commitments.5. ECONOMY: Don’t waist your money. Let your only expenses be the doing of good to

others or yourself.6. PRODUCTIVITY: Don’t waist your time. Spend your time on useful matters and refrain

from unnecessary activities 7. TRUTHFULNESS: Avoid lies that harm others. Think without prejudice and, if you speak,

speak accordingly 8. JUSTICE: Avoid injuring others by your actions, or withholding from them the benefits

they deserve.9. MODERATION: Avoid extremes. This applies especially to the holding of grudges

against those who have harmed you.10.CLEANLINESS: Keep body, and living spaces clean at all times.

11.PEACE: Don’t be overtaken by either small irritants or by the larger troubles that are sure to come.

12.CHASTITY: Indulge you sexual appetites for the sake of health and offspring only. Never indulge to the point of dullness or weakness. Never injure your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13.HUMILITY: Imitate Jesus and Socrates - Focused on 1 moral virtue at a time (1 virtue each week) - Most essential virtues at the top

to improve your knowledge use ones ears more than one’s tongue Ben created a book where he allotted 1 page for each 13 moral virtues

- If he could go a whole week without any self- control offenses he would consider that virtue mastered and move on to the next one

- Repeated the 13 week cycle 4 times in a year- Gave him a visual method for tracking the otherwise invisible path of moral progress

3 mottos of front page of each book1. Upon this idea I stand: If there’s a Power above us (And all nature cries aloud through

her works that this is so), He surely delights in virtue; And that in which he delights must bring happiness. –ADDISON’S CATO

2. O, Philosophy, guide of life! O teacher of virtue and corrector of vice. One day of virtue is better than an eternity of vice. –CICERO

3. Long life is in Wisdom’s right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. –PROVERBS 3:16-17

Prayers-O powerful Goodness! Bountiful Father! Merciful Guide!Increase in me that wisdom which leads me to my best interest.Strengthen my determination to do what asks of me.Accept my good deed done to your other children as the best responseI can make in return for the blessings you have first given me-Father of light and life, you are the Supreme Good!Teach me what is good; teach me Thyself!Save me from foolishness, pride, and viceAnd all petty pursuits. Fill my soul. With knowledge, conscious peace, and pure virtue;Sacred, substantial, never- fading bliss! ~Poor Richard once said, “Well done is better than well said.” ~

Chapter 38 (Reflections on the Pursuit of Moral Perfection)

Found it hardest to practice the virtue of order A wise person allows himself a few faults so as to be tolerable company 79 years old as he writes this

- SELF-CONTROL: long & healthy life- PRODUCTIVITY & ECONOMY: helped him become independently wealthy, motivated

him towards greater learning- TRUTHFULNESS & JUSTICE: confidence in his country and the great work it asked him to

undertake on its behalf - ALL 13: tranquil demeanor & cheerfulness in conversation

Tried to make it non religious Good people are in short supply, and you won’t stay unemployed for long.

~Poor Richard once said, “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them!” ~

Chapter 39 (Additional Thoughts on Humility)

Ben models humility by listening to the counsel of well-meaning friends A friend told Ben he was thought to be arrogant, overbearing and even haughty Ben would not use phrases like “certainly” or “without a doubt” because it suggested a

fixed opinion about a matter. Proposing my opinions in a humble fashion assured them more attentive and less

defensive listener Pride is probably the most difficult of our natural passions to tame.

~Poor Richard once said, “Humility makes great men twice honorable.” ~

Ben Franklin Chapter’s 40-56 (pages 129-172)

Chapter 40 (Some Counsel on Grand Undertaking)

Big projects require a good bit of study, a well-developed plan, & a motivational champion. The Art of Virtue Observations

-Political parties of like minded individuals both cause and affect the great events of the world- its wars, revolutions, and the like.-each party acts in its own best interest -every party differs in its primary interest causing conflict-every person in these political parties has a personal interest that may or may not coincide with the parties interest.-As soon as a party achieves its general interest, each member begins to pursue his privet interest causing conflict & division.-no one in public affairs acts out of general benevolence, but each believes that what he wants and what the country wants is often the same thing-almost no one in public affairs acts with the good of humankind in mind-United Party for Virtue- would gather the good and virtuous people of all nations together to be governed by good and virtuous laws-whoever is qualified to do so and attempts this venture will certainly please God and meet with success.

Essential in any religion-there is one God who made all things-he governs the world by his providence-he should be worshipped by words of adoration, prayer, & thanksgiving-the most acceptable service to God is doing of good to other men-the soul is immortal-God will both reward virtue & punish wrongdoing, either in this life or the one hereafter

Only for young single men who have already gone from through the 13 week cycle for promoting virtue.

“The Society of the Free and Easy” -free: habitual practice of virtue freed them from the tyranny of wrongdoing ~Poor Richard once said, “He that can have patience, can have what he will.”

Chapter 41 (Poor Richard’s Almanac Introduced)

Writing alter egos-Silence Dogood-Busy Body-Poor Richard

Almanacs included (calendars, municipal events, medical advice, philosophy, poetry) 1732- published first Poor Richards almanac (Goal: entertaining & useful)

-published it for 25 yrs-sold 10,000 copies a year-most sayings focused on the benefits of productivity and economy as the way to wealth

“it’s hard for an empty sack to stand upright” Inserted as many as he could in the 1757 almanac in the form of a speech by a old man to

a group of people in the marketplace. Ben often reprinted essays about morality from the spectator and other sources Self denial “virtue is not secure until its practice becomes a daily habit and all bad

inclinations eliminated No publish: libelous or news or personal scandal Subscribers trusted Ben to furnish them a paper containing useful & entertaining

information. ~Poor Richard once said, “search others for their virtues, thy self for they vices.”

Chapter 42 (Franchising Across the Continent)

Well designed contracts “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker” 1733 Journeyman set up print shop in Charleston, South Carolina Ben paid for 1/3 and god

1/3 of the profits-died and his wife took over (she was a good accountant from the Netherlands) ~Poor Richard once said, “There’s more old drunkers than old doctors.” ~

Chapter 43 (Learning Languages)

1733 started learning languages-French 1st

-Italian (beat each other into mastering Italian- chess)-Spanish

Must first master Latin before mastering the modern languages derived from it ( Ben dose not agree) ~Poor Richard once said, “The Ancients tell us what is best; but we must learn of the moderns what is fittest.”~

Chapter 44 (Fighting the Good Fight)

1734, Hemphill preached about how to become a better person and increase your good works

Orthodox Presbyterians opposed Hemphill April 1735 newspaper archives Dr. James Foster (the guy Hemphill took his sermon from) Hemphill never composed his own sermon but rather had good memory and can

memorize it word for word by just reading it once. Ben would rather him preach other sermons then bad sermons he composed

~Poor Richard once said, “Blessed is he that expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” ~

Chapter 45 (Family Matters)

10 yrs since Ben last visited Boston James health declining he asked Ben to take his son when he died and raise him in the

printing business Ben lost a child in 1736 to smallpox the child was 4 yrs old Vaccinate your children whenever possible

~Poor Richard once said, “Love, and be lov’d”

Chapter 46 (Update on the Junto)

Keeping club secret helped avoid request for membership from undesirable people whom was might find difficult to refuse

Each member start a new secret club with the same rules Only 5 or 6 clubs took on lives of their own out of 12 attempts

-the Vine, the Union, the Band ~Poor Richard once said, “One man may be more cunning than another, but not more cunning than every body else.” ~

Chapter 47 (Advice on Changing Someone’s Opinion of You)

Consistency Principle: Once somebody has done a small favor for you chances are they will do a larger favor for you latter. There is indeed power in helping others, but there is also power in letting others help you first.

Do it in small degrees Liked the opportunities being the clerk provided him 1st big break: clerk of the General Assembly in 1736 Ben asked the man that spoke against him if he could borrow a book they then became

friends~Poor Richard once said, “There is no little enemy.” ~

Chapter 48 (How to Displease Your Superiors)

People are often their own worst enemy’s If people trust you with their money they will trust you with their other stuff too 1737 Postmaster general for America was Colonel Spotswood the recently retired governor

of Virginia Pay was small but opportunity was great Nothing gives your superiors more confidence in your abilities than communicating

financial information in an accurate and timely manner. Because Ben became postmaster his newspaper profits went up

~Poor Richard once said, “If you would be reveng’d of your enemy, govern yourself.”

Chapter 49 (Building a Better Community)

Great entrepreneurs are great citizens Id rather try small projects because they are less likely to fail Improve cities night watch Constable notified a # of households each night that they would be helping him that night

make the rounds-for the price of 6 shillings a year a household could be excused from such duties (constable would used $ to hire substitute helpers)-6 shillings more than needed that’s how they made a profit

Focal point: unfairness of 6 shilling exemption tax Funding constables office with a tax proportionate to ones property Hiring professionals

~Poor Richard once said, “Mine id better than ours”~

Chapter 50 (Founding the First Fire Department)

Philadelphia’s first fire company- the Union Fire Company ( Ben most proud of this project)

Started out as privately funded then became publicly funded 1. Each member required to keep at the ready a certain # of strong leather buckets to be

brought to every fire. 2. meet once a month to talk about recent fires and share information about ways to

prevent and extinguish them

~Poor Richard once said, “without justice, courage is weak”~

Chapter 51 (The Reverend George Whitefield)

30,000 ppl would be able to hear G. Whitefield 100 ft long 70 ft wide Listening to him speak was as pleasurable as listening to someone perform a good piece

of music Old sermons wonderful Preachers fixed to a congregation cannot reap the benefits of repetition G. Whitefield wanted to open a orphanage in Georgia The spoken word might pass away but the written stays Asked Ben if his Bethesda orphanage should be turned into a college

~Poor Richard once said, “Gifts much expected, are paid, not given.”~

Chapter 52 (Franklin the Inventor)

Invented a stove “An Account of the Recently Invented Pennsylvania Fireplace” Every day we benefit from the inventions of other people throughout history. We should

therefore be honored to return the favor by freely and generously giving back an invention of our own once in a while

Not make a profit from his inventions~Poor Richard once said, “Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that have not wit enough to be honest.”~

Chapter 33 (On Partnership)

More of his best employees in partnership with same rules of in 6 years they will buy the business from Ben

Partnerships are difficult and usually and in conflict Need a good contract “After earning one’s first 100 pounds, it’s easier to get the 2nd 100”

~Poor Richard Once said, “He that sells upon trust, loses many friends, and always wants money.”~

Chapter 54 (Proposing a College, Establishing a Militia)

American Philosophical Society Bothersome

1. No militia2. No college

Instead of the reverend Mr. Peters helping Ben with the college he instead helped the Penn family

Plain Truth After meeting (1,200 signed contracts) total= 10,000 signed contracts Meet once a week to practice

~Poor Richard once said, “he that waits upon fortune is never sure of dinner.”~

Chapter 55 (The Politics of Fortification)

Public projects financed with lottery’s (raffle) Officers of Philadelphia regiment picked Ben as their colonel. Ben suggest the seek out Thomas Lawrence Fortified wall with canons Traveled to NY in hopes of borrowing canons from governor Clinton 18 canons promised after Clinton drunk Publicly proclaimed fast

Ben will never give up the office ~Poor Richard once said, “take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.”~

Chapter 56 (On Managing Dilemmas)

What people say in public and what they settle for in private are two different things The key to reaching agreement is finding a legitimate was to help the opposite parties

save face. Ben found that the majority of the Quakers were in favor of defensive was despite their

public stances against offensive wars. Wanted to use the fire company as a vehicle through which a lottery would be held to

raise funds for the building of our fortifications. (needed to raise 60 pounds) –had to wait a week to vote

Fire company consisted of 30 members (22 were Quakers) James Morris only one who went to oppose Vote 8-1

~Poor Richard once said, “Men & Melons are hard to know.”~

Ben Franklin (chp. 57-70)

Chapter 57 (Founding the University of Pennsylvania)

“Proposals relating to the education of youth in Pennsylvania”- pamphlet Donating yearly for 5 yrs.= 5,000 pounds Circulated the proposal under the guise of “some public-spirited gentlemen” (because he

didn’t want to present himself as the creator of a scheme for the benefit of the public) Ben got elected as a trustee and used his position on that board to help the college.

~Poor Richard Once said, “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”~

Chapter 58 (Retiring from My Business)

Retired from daily printing business but remained owner and benefited from the profits this went on for 18 years until he sold the business to his partner David Hall.

Study of electricity Bens son, William took Bens place as clerk when he moved to join the assembly

-held his position on assembly for 10 yrs.~Poor Richard once said, “industry, perseverance, & frugality, make fortune yield.” ~

Part III (The Legacy of an Entrepreneur)

Chapter 59 (The Power of Contingent Contracts)

Use disagreement as the basis of a contract Dr. Thomas Bond wanted to start a hospital Prepare the minds of the people before starting fundraising Contingency clause: if voluntary contributions for the hospital reached or exceeded 2,000

pounds and the project put in place a governing board the Assembly would match these funds with another 2,000 pounds. -assembly $: building cost-volunteer $: poor get care for free~Poor Richard once said, “Be neither silly, nor cunning, but wise.” ~

Chapter 60 (Good Advice for Fundraising)

Dr. Robert Cialdini notes, “Influence is best exerted horizontally rather than vertically” Reverend Gilbert Tennent wanted Ben’s help in fundraising for a new meeting house. (Ben

said NO) Bens advice:

1. Ask $ from those you know will give2. Go to those who u r uncertain about and show them the list of people who have

already donated3. Ask those you never thought would give

~ Poor Richard once said, “Great-Alms- Giving, lessens no man’s living.” ~

Chapter 61 (Negotiating Peace with the American Indians)

Iroquois League of 6 Nations 1753- crown decreed the colonies should renegotiate peace treaties with American Indians Assembly nominated Ben & Mr. Norris (speaker of the house)

-went to Carlisle to meet with the natives American Indians not allowed to drink until treaty is made Indian elder: “The great spirit, who created all, made everything on the earth for some

use. And a thing should always be put to use in accordance with its created purposes. Now when He made rum He said, ‘Let this be for the American Indians to get drunk with,’ and so this is why we drink rum as we do.” ~Poor Richard once said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new-year find you a better man.” ~

Chapter 62 (It’s the Little Things)

Mr. John Cliftion had the idea of lighting the city Ben redesigned the London lamp so the smoke could escape Human happiness is not so much a result of lucky events that rarely come our way.

Rather, happiness is more often a result of the little advantages that accumulate every day. ~Poor Richard once said, “what is serving God? ‘Tis doing good to man?”~

Chapter 63 (The Reluctant Revolutionary)

1753 Ben received a joint appointment along with Mr. William Hunter to the position of postmaster-general for all the British colonies in America.

Britain expected the American postal service to send them 600 pounds every year. (even though they never made a profit)

Profit of 3,000 pounds per year, when Ben left they started losing money again Yale & Harvard presented Ben the degree of Master of Arts Ben drew up a plan for the unification of all the colonies under 1 gov. Bens plan chosen by the assembly

-rejected-colonial assemblies: gave crown too much power-crown: was too democratic

Rulers are often so overwhelmed with the pressures of government that they rarely take time to consider new ideas- even good ones. When it comes to power and politics, convenience often trumps intelligence.~Poor Richard once said, “Necessity never made a good bargain.”~

Chapter 64 (How to Get Off to a Bad Start)

About Governor Morris. “He has 1000 little tricks to provoke and irritate the people, but none to gain their goodwill, esteem, or confidence.”

Franklin’s last public act was for the abolition of slavery

Mr. Robert Morris-loves political disputes-was a good natured man who never allowed personal differences to spoil a friendship

Sancho Panza, when asked to govern, requested a government of blacks so if he could not agree with his subjects he could sell them instead.~Poor Richard once said, “avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice.”~

Chapter 65 (Death and Taxes)

Search hard for the 3rd ways when stuck in dilemmas Governor Morris’s successor is Captain Denny Governor Morris refused to sign the bill unless it included an amendment exempting the

Penn family’s vast land holdings from any tax levied for the purpose of defense. Way of raising $ without needing the approval of the governor (Loan Office issue bonds

redeemable in 1 year at a 5 percent interest rate) ~Poor Richard once said, “The creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times.”~

Chapter 66 (How to Gain Cooperation)

General Braddock William, who now had some experience as a soldier in the Kings service, went with Ben. Fredericktown, Maryland Only got 25 wagon (needed 150) Ben why don’t you solve this problem for us? (ok but I’m going to need to write it down) Some among the generals council proposed sending soldiers immediately into Landcaster,

York, and Cumberland counties to seize as many good wagons and horses as necessary for military purposes.

Sir John St. Clair: the quartermaster Ben was given 800 pounds for paying advances (had to use 200 pounds of his own

money) Post a bond guaranteeing payment in case of loss

~Poor Richard once said, “if you’d have it done, Go: if not, send.”~

Chapter 67 (How to Get Off to a Great Start)

Assembly sent 20 individual packages Ben used 1,000 pounds of his own $

~Poor Richard once said, “Gifts burst rocks.”~

Chapter 68 (Guarding Against Overconfidence)

Ben refused to help with firework celebration

~Poor Richard once said, “Tis easy to see, hard to foresee.”~

Chapter 69 (Sizing Up the British)

Never assume the market leader in any business situation is invulnerable Fort Duquesne Ben said, I would watch out for American Indian ambushes American Indians let Braddock continue to build his confidence until he was within 9 miles

of Fort Duquesne 2/3’s of the troops dead Dunbar chose to run for cover to the nearest settlement When the French came in 1781 to help with the revolution their behavior was quite

commendable

~Poor Richard once said, “Haste makes waste.”~

Chapter 70 (Calling in Debts, Old and New)

Captain Orme told Ben the general was dead Braddock’s last words: :We shall better know how to deal with them next time.” Ben wanted Braddock’s solders to stop enlisting their indentured servants and discharge

those that had already been enlisted.

General Shirley, former governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony stood by the promise of his predecessor. The claims totaled nearly 20,000 pounds.

~Poor Richard once said, “many would live by their wits, but break for a want of stock.”~

Ben Franklin (71-Afterword)

Chapter 71 (Negotiating with Coalition)

A 3rd party added to either side of the table sometimes provides the necessary change in dynamics.

“that all estates, real and personal, were to be taxed, those of the Penn family not excepted” Morris wanted to change the word “not” to “only”.

By refusing to help defend the province they forfeit their right to it. Scared the Penn family and they donated 5,000 pounds of their own money

Ben passed a bill for establishing and training a voluntary militia ~Poor Richard once said, “Cunning Proceeds from want of capacity” ~

Chapter 72 (Benjamin Franklin Soldiers)

Ben published a pamphlet promoting the militia Morris asked Ben to take charge of the northwestern frontier which was already overrun

by the enemy (Ben soon found himself in charge of 560 men) Ben son William served as his chief assistant

Bethlehem= chief Moravian settlement Rained and they couldn’t keep their guns dry

~Poor Richard once said, “he that cannot obey, cannot command.”~

Chapter 73 (Managing Morale)

To avoid detection the native Americans dug holes in the ground about 3 feet in diameter & about 4 ft deep. With their hatchets they would cut charcoal from the sides of burnt logs in the woods. Using these coals they made small, virtually smoke free fires at the bottom of the holes and then would drop their legs down into them to keep their feet and legs warm.~Poor Richard once said, “You may give a man an office, but you cannot give him discretion.” ~

Chapter 74 (Reward or Punish?)

To get the solders to attend prayer meetings the rum was served by the pastor right after. ~Poor Richard once said, “Hope of gain lessens pain.”~

Chapter 75 (A Hero’s Return)

Franklins goal of building 3 forts was completed and a experienced officer from New England, Colonel William Clapham agreed to accept the command in Bens absence so he went back to Philadelphia

Morvavians -sermons were preached to strictly segregated audiences -when 2 or 3 young women were judged to be equally suitable for a young man, a lot was cast to decide the match.

Ben was elected commander-in-chief -that role was short because their commissions were overthrown when Parliament repealed their militia law in England~Poor Richard once said, “a good example is the best sermon.”~

Chapter 76 (Enemies Accumulate)

Bens never thought is good policy to show off ones importance to others. Bens solders escorted him all the way out of town in their uniforms with their swords

drawn -this infuriated the Penn family because they had never been shown this treatment

Governor Morris and Ben still friends Morris wanted Ben to become a general but Ben suspected it was because he had political

motives. Morris was replaced by Captain Denny

~Poor Richard once said, “who has deceiv’d thee so oft as thy self?”~

Chapter 77 (My Life as a Scientist)

Ben was awarded the Copley Medal (the gold medal of Sir Godfrey Copley) Royal Society= national academy of science among the British Count de Buffon France= one of the greatest scientist of the day By the rules of science if it could not be replicated it could not be seriously defended

Professor Nollet (Frances greatest electrical scientist) publically criticized Bens papers. Ben decided to let his papers defend themselves and not respond.

Bens friend Jean-Baptiste Le Roy of the Royal Academy of sciences in France took it upon himself to refute Nollets arguments ~Poor Richard once said, “half the truth if often a great lie.”~

Chapter 78 (Holding Fast to Principle)

you can be taken advantage of when flattered as easily as when you are angered. Captain Denny brought the Copley medal with him when he sailed over from England and

tried to get Ben to help him settle the Penn family land tax dispute. ~Poor Richard once said, “Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults.”~

Chapter 79 (The Impact of Indecisive Leadership)

Lord Loudoun= indecisive Ships delayed because the Lords letters were not ready (suppose to sail in April didn’t sail

until June) Loudoun was like “St. George on the signs: always on horseback but never really riding

anywhere!”. ~Poor Richard once said, “changing countries or beds, cures neither a bad manager nor a fever.”~

Chapter 80 (More on Poor Leadership)

Loudoun left the colonies defenseless and lost Fort William Henry while he drilled his troops in the safety of Halifax.

Shirley said, “I find the lowest seat the easiest to fill” Loudoun said he decided not to mix his accounts with his predecessors and Ben should

show his records to the treasury when he arrived in London and he would be paid immediately

Loudoun accused Ben of filling his own pockets during the war and refuses to pay back the small sum owed to Ben.~Poor Richard once said, “He that would catch fish, must venture his bait.” ~

Chapter 81 (The Slowest Ship)

To much weight had been loaded at the front of the ship causing the ship to drag that’s why it was going slow

Captain lugwidge and captain kennedy made a bet. Captain kennedy didn’t think the ship could sail at 13 knots but it could.

Ben wants people to look into what makes a good fast boat~Poor Richard once said, “he that resolves to mend hereafter, resolves not to mend now.”~

Chapter 82 (No Substitute for Integrity)

If they sail through the night they will hit land by morning The watchman at the front of the boat did not say anything about the lighthouse right in

front of them (most likely because he was asleep) Captain kennedy jumped up to help and saved the ship from wreaking

~Poor Richard once said, “Reader, I wish thee health, wealth, and happiness, and may kind heaven thy year’s industry bless.”~

Afterword (The Rest of the Story)

Ben won a legal battle with the Penn family over the taxation of their estate holdings This book ends when Ben is 51 yrs old The other book ends when Ben is 57 yrs old Time line of the remaining events in Bens life

-look in book pg. 256.