Category Archives: Benjamin Franklin

Freedom, Liberty, and the Founding Fathers

Posted on by January 25, 2016

PatrickHenryIt’s interesting how much emphasis and importance all of the Founders put in the idea of Freedom and Liberty. They even warned us to take good care of the things they left for us.

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the chains of slavery . . .?” Patrick Henry.

“It is my full intention to devote my life and fortune in the cause we are engaged in (the Revolution), if need be.” George Washington.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson, in the Declaration of Independence. read more

Ben Franklin said: “Go Ahead, Do It!”

Posted on by January 24, 2016

Founding Fathers coverOne thing about Benjamin Franklin is that he finished much better than he had started out. If you’ve read his Autobiography, which I hope by now you have, you know that Ben left his family, his brother’s printing business, and his city of Boston, at the early age of 17. And that with only a few pennies to his name.

He certainly made something of himself. He built his own business in Philadelphia, made the city better, help others build their own business, performed experiments, taught himself, learned music, wrote the most widely read volume in Europe about electricity, became involved in Philanthropic endeavors, and helped build a new nation. And much more. Whew! read more

Benjamin Franklin and Education

Posted on by January 23, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureOne of Franklin’s favorite sayings was: “All education is self-education.” Meaning you must develop personal learning habits in your personal and professional life. We should fill our minds with reading and then process what we have been reading and learning.

You need to take charge of your own learning. I like the phrase “learn then teach.” I have found that by sharing what you have been learning, what you have learned becomes more of a part of you, you encapsulate it, you have to understand it enough to explain it to someone else. That makes you learn it ahead of the field. read more

Benjamin Franklin and Scruples

Posted on by January 24, 2016

Ben FranklinYesterday I advised you not to become a snollygoster. Then I went to my dictionary and defined snollygoster for you. It is a clever unscrupulous person. A person who is smart and clever, but who has no scruples.

Today I thought I’d better be more clear about what scruples are. A scruple is defined in that same Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary as “a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions.” So if you have scruples, you have moral values. And those lead you to positive actions! read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Project for Moral Perfection

Posted on by January 16, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureFranklin explains in his Autobiography his Project for Moral Perfection. He decided as a youth that he should try to become as perfect as he possibly could in thirteen character traits he described in his book. He worked on this project all his life, and I believe he did become practically perfect in most things.

One of the traits he wanted to develop was that of Order, which he defined as “Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”

Of all his listed traits, he said this one gave him the most trouble. But then look at all he accomplished in spite of that trouble! read more

The Declaration of Independence You Didn’t Know

Posted on by January 15, 2016

Thomas Jefferson worked on his draft for 17 days during his time at the Continental Congress. The draft was to be ready in case enough of the representatives ultimately agreed on the need for such a document.

Jefferson’s original draft was just a little different than the one finally adopted. This paragraph is interesting and better than my first draft would have been.

”We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and independent, that from equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” read more

More Founding Fathers Myths

Posted on by January 11, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureSeveral scandalous stories about Benjamin Franklin have also been promulgated by pseudo-historians and others over the years. William was treated by Ben as a legitimate son, although some historians now believe that Ben married Deborah when she was pregnant with William, to save her reputation.

There is not good evidence of any other illegitimate children, but rumors have sprung up anyway. One of Ben’s rules in his Project for Moral Perfection, which he observed all his life, was the character trait of chastity. It’s hard to believe any violation of this trait given Ben’s drive for self-improvement. read more

The Daughters of the American Revolution

Posted on by December 11, 2015

constitutionToday I was honored as the special guest speaker at the monthly meeting of The Daughters of the American Revolution. It was real privilege to present to them a little about our Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

The ladies were invited to bring their husbands, and so we were happy so have some gentlemen there as well. I found the group to be well educated about our country’s revolution, and to be a most attentive and riveted audience.

In the discussion there seemed to be some confusion about the difference between the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. It was soon cleared up. read more

Benjamin Franklin and Santa Clause

Posted on by December 9, 2015

Ben FranklinOf all the Founding Fathers, I think that Benjamin Franklin is the most like Santa Clause! Just think about it. Ben was most diplomatic and he just loved people and found a way to get his way in life. He was most industrious, diligent, and hard working.

Ben was perhaps a little bit more rounded than the others, but, alas, he didn’t wear a beard. He was able to mystify his friends with his talents, his knowledge, and his inventions. Ben was also very much in favor of creating happiness and joy at various times of the year, especially at Christmas. read more

The Revolutionaries and Football

Posted on by December 7, 2015

Scene_at_the_Signing_of_the_Constitution_of_the_United_StatesI asked my wife for suggestions regarding what I should write about tonight on my Blog. She said: “Since it’s Monday night football, why don’t you write about what football teams the original Americans would root for.”

I answered: “That would be fun, but football hadn’t been invented yet when they were still around!”

But when I thought about it, I thought “what a good idea!”

Of course, John Adams, being from Boston, and a Patriot himself, would root for the New England Patriots. And, I suppose George Washington would join him, seeing as how Washington, DC hadn’t been built yet. read more