[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
ery one s interest to be virtuous who wish d to be happy to the sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of my
even in this world; and I should, from this circumstance own. I even forbid myself, agreeably to the old laws of our
(there being always in the world a number of rich merchants, Junto, the use of every word or expression in the language
nobility, states, and princes, who have need of honest in- that imported a fix d opinion, such as certainly, undoubt-
struments for the management of their affairs, and such edly, etc., and I adopted, instead of them, I conceive, I ap-
being so rare), have endeavored to convince young persons prehend, or I imagine a thing to be so or so; or it so appears
that no qualities were so likely to make a poor man s for- to me at present. When another asserted something that I
tune as those of probity and integrity. thought an error, I deny d myself the pleasure of contradict-
My list of virtues contain d at first but twelve; but a Quaker ing him abruptly, and of showing immediately some absur-
friend having kindly informed me that I was generally dity in his proposition; and in answering I began by observ-
thought proud; that my pride show d itself frequently in ing that in certain cases or circumstances his opinion would
conversation; that I was not content with being in the right be right, but in the present case there appear d or seem d to
when discussing any point, but was overbearing, and rather me some difference, etc. I soon found the advantage of this
insolent, of which he convinc d me by mentioning several change in my manner; the conversations I engag d in went
instances; I determined endeavouring to cure myself, if I on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I propos d my
could, of this vice or folly among the rest, and I added Hu- opinions procur d them a readier recep tion and less contra-
mility to my list) giving an extensive meaning to the diction; I had less mortification when I was found to be in
word. the wrong, and I more easily prevail d with others to give up
85
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in [Thus far written at Passy, 1741.]
the right.
And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence [I am now about to write at home, August, 1788, but can not
to natural inclination, became at length so easy, and so have the help expected from my papers, many of them being
habitual to me, that perhaps for these fifty years past no lost in the war. I have, however, found the following.]*
one has ever heard a dogmatical expression escape me. And
to this habit (after my character of integrity) I think it HAVING mentioned a great and extensive project which I had
principally owing that I had early so much weight with my conceiv d, it seems proper that some account should be here
fellow- citizens when I proposed new institutions, or alter- given of that project and its object. Its first rise in my mind
ations in the old, and so much influence in public councils appears in the following little paper, accidentally preserv d, viz.:
when I became a member; for I was but a bad speaker, never Observations on my reading history, in Library, May 19th,
eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words, 1731.
hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my That the great affairs of the world, the wars, revolutions,
points. etc., are carried on and affected by parties.
In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural pas- That the view of these parties is their present general
sions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with interest, or what they take to be such.
it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, That the different views of these different parties occa-
it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and sion all confusion.
show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; That while a party is carrying on a general design, each
for, even if I could conceive that I had compleatly overcome man has his particular private interest in view.
it, I should probably be proud of my humility.
*This is a marginal memorandum. B.
86
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
That as soon as a party has gain d its general point, each hereafter, when my circumstances should afford me the nec-
member becomes intent upon his particular interest; which, essary leisure, I put down from time to time, on pieces of
thwarting others, breaks that party into divisions, and oc- paper, such thoughts as occurr d to me respecting it. Most
casions more confusion. of these are lost; but I find one purporting to be the sub-
That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good stance of an intended creed) containing, as I thought, the
of their country, whatever they may pretend; and, tho their essentials of every known religion, and being free of every
actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily thing that might shock the professors of any religion. It is
considered that their own and their country s interest was express d in these words, viz.:
united, and did not act from a principle of benevolence. That there is one God, who made all things.
That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the That he governs the world by his providence.
good of mankind. That he ought to be worshiped by adoration, prayer, and
There seems to me at present to be great occasion for thanksgiving.
raising a United Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good
and good men of all nations into a regular body, to be to man. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl szkicerysunki.xlx.pl
ery one s interest to be virtuous who wish d to be happy to the sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of my
even in this world; and I should, from this circumstance own. I even forbid myself, agreeably to the old laws of our
(there being always in the world a number of rich merchants, Junto, the use of every word or expression in the language
nobility, states, and princes, who have need of honest in- that imported a fix d opinion, such as certainly, undoubt-
struments for the management of their affairs, and such edly, etc., and I adopted, instead of them, I conceive, I ap-
being so rare), have endeavored to convince young persons prehend, or I imagine a thing to be so or so; or it so appears
that no qualities were so likely to make a poor man s for- to me at present. When another asserted something that I
tune as those of probity and integrity. thought an error, I deny d myself the pleasure of contradict-
My list of virtues contain d at first but twelve; but a Quaker ing him abruptly, and of showing immediately some absur-
friend having kindly informed me that I was generally dity in his proposition; and in answering I began by observ-
thought proud; that my pride show d itself frequently in ing that in certain cases or circumstances his opinion would
conversation; that I was not content with being in the right be right, but in the present case there appear d or seem d to
when discussing any point, but was overbearing, and rather me some difference, etc. I soon found the advantage of this
insolent, of which he convinc d me by mentioning several change in my manner; the conversations I engag d in went
instances; I determined endeavouring to cure myself, if I on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I propos d my
could, of this vice or folly among the rest, and I added Hu- opinions procur d them a readier recep tion and less contra-
mility to my list) giving an extensive meaning to the diction; I had less mortification when I was found to be in
word. the wrong, and I more easily prevail d with others to give up
85
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in [Thus far written at Passy, 1741.]
the right.
And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence [I am now about to write at home, August, 1788, but can not
to natural inclination, became at length so easy, and so have the help expected from my papers, many of them being
habitual to me, that perhaps for these fifty years past no lost in the war. I have, however, found the following.]*
one has ever heard a dogmatical expression escape me. And
to this habit (after my character of integrity) I think it HAVING mentioned a great and extensive project which I had
principally owing that I had early so much weight with my conceiv d, it seems proper that some account should be here
fellow- citizens when I proposed new institutions, or alter- given of that project and its object. Its first rise in my mind
ations in the old, and so much influence in public councils appears in the following little paper, accidentally preserv d, viz.:
when I became a member; for I was but a bad speaker, never Observations on my reading history, in Library, May 19th,
eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words, 1731.
hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my That the great affairs of the world, the wars, revolutions,
points. etc., are carried on and affected by parties.
In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural pas- That the view of these parties is their present general
sions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with interest, or what they take to be such.
it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, That the different views of these different parties occa-
it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and sion all confusion.
show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; That while a party is carrying on a general design, each
for, even if I could conceive that I had compleatly overcome man has his particular private interest in view.
it, I should probably be proud of my humility.
*This is a marginal memorandum. B.
86
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
That as soon as a party has gain d its general point, each hereafter, when my circumstances should afford me the nec-
member becomes intent upon his particular interest; which, essary leisure, I put down from time to time, on pieces of
thwarting others, breaks that party into divisions, and oc- paper, such thoughts as occurr d to me respecting it. Most
casions more confusion. of these are lost; but I find one purporting to be the sub-
That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good stance of an intended creed) containing, as I thought, the
of their country, whatever they may pretend; and, tho their essentials of every known religion, and being free of every
actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily thing that might shock the professors of any religion. It is
considered that their own and their country s interest was express d in these words, viz.:
united, and did not act from a principle of benevolence. That there is one God, who made all things.
That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the That he governs the world by his providence.
good of mankind. That he ought to be worshiped by adoration, prayer, and
There seems to me at present to be great occasion for thanksgiving.
raising a United Party for Virtue, by forming the virtuous But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good
and good men of all nations into a regular body, to be to man. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]