Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical and Philosophical (Complete)

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself With His Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical and Philosophical (Complete) by Benjamin Franklin, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Benjamin Franklin ISBN: 9781465538697
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Benjamin Franklin
ISBN: 9781465538697
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
To William Franklin, Esq., Governor of New-Jersey Twyford, at the Bishop of St. Asaph's, 1771. Dear Son,—I have ever had a pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose. Imagining it may be equally agreeable to you to learn the circumstances of my life, many of which you are unacquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment of a few weeks' uninterrupted leisure, I sit down to write them. Besides, there are some Other inducements that excite me to this undertaking. From the poverty and obscurity in which I was born, and in which I passed my earliest years, I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of celebrity in the world. As constant good fortune has accompanied me even to an advanced period of life, my posterity will perhaps be desirous of learning the means which I employed, and which, thanks to Providence, so well succeeded with me. They may also deem them fit to be imitated, should any of them find themselves in similar circumstances. This good fortune, when I reflect on it, which is frequently the case, has induced me sometimes to say, that if it were left to my choice, I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end: requesting only the advantage authors have, of correcting in a second edition the faults of the first. So would I also wish to change some incidents of it for Others more favourable. Notwithstanding, if this condition was denied, I should still accept the offer of recommencing the same life. But as this repetition is not to be expected, that which resembles most living one's life over again, seems to be to recall all the circumstances of it; and, to render this remembrance more durable, to record them in writing. In thus employing myself I shall yield to the inclination so natural to old men, of talking of themselves and their own actions; and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to those who, from respect to my age, might conceive themselves obliged to listen to me, since they will be always free to read me or not. And lastly (I may as well confess it, as the denial of it would be believed by nobody), I shall perhaps not a little gratify my own vanity. Indeed, I never heard or saw the introductory words "Without vanity I may say," &c., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most people dislike vanity in Others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter, wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to Others who are within his sphere of action: and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the Other comforts of life. And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I attribute the mentioned happiness of my past life to his divine providence, which led me to the means I used and gave the success. My belief of this induces me to hope, though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be exercised towards me, in continuing that happiness or enabling me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as Others have done; the complexion of my future fortune being known to him only, in whose power it is to bless us, even in our afflictions
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
To William Franklin, Esq., Governor of New-Jersey Twyford, at the Bishop of St. Asaph's, 1771. Dear Son,—I have ever had a pleasure in obtaining any little anecdotes of my ancestors. You may remember the inquiries I made among the remains of my relations when you were with me in England, and the journey I undertook for that purpose. Imagining it may be equally agreeable to you to learn the circumstances of my life, many of which you are unacquainted with, and expecting the enjoyment of a few weeks' uninterrupted leisure, I sit down to write them. Besides, there are some Other inducements that excite me to this undertaking. From the poverty and obscurity in which I was born, and in which I passed my earliest years, I have raised myself to a state of affluence and some degree of celebrity in the world. As constant good fortune has accompanied me even to an advanced period of life, my posterity will perhaps be desirous of learning the means which I employed, and which, thanks to Providence, so well succeeded with me. They may also deem them fit to be imitated, should any of them find themselves in similar circumstances. This good fortune, when I reflect on it, which is frequently the case, has induced me sometimes to say, that if it were left to my choice, I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end: requesting only the advantage authors have, of correcting in a second edition the faults of the first. So would I also wish to change some incidents of it for Others more favourable. Notwithstanding, if this condition was denied, I should still accept the offer of recommencing the same life. But as this repetition is not to be expected, that which resembles most living one's life over again, seems to be to recall all the circumstances of it; and, to render this remembrance more durable, to record them in writing. In thus employing myself I shall yield to the inclination so natural to old men, of talking of themselves and their own actions; and I shall indulge it without being tiresome to those who, from respect to my age, might conceive themselves obliged to listen to me, since they will be always free to read me or not. And lastly (I may as well confess it, as the denial of it would be believed by nobody), I shall perhaps not a little gratify my own vanity. Indeed, I never heard or saw the introductory words "Without vanity I may say," &c., but some vain thing immediately followed. Most people dislike vanity in Others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter, wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor, and to Others who are within his sphere of action: and therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the Other comforts of life. And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I attribute the mentioned happiness of my past life to his divine providence, which led me to the means I used and gave the success. My belief of this induces me to hope, though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be exercised towards me, in continuing that happiness or enabling me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as Others have done; the complexion of my future fortune being known to him only, in whose power it is to bless us, even in our afflictions

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book The White Eagle of Poland by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book The History of The Christian Church (Complete) by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Study with the Text of the Folio of 1623 by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book Tonio Kroger by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book Number 70, Berlin: A Story of Britain's Peril by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book Notes on the Book of Deuteronomy (Complete) by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book Selected Short Stories of Mary Elizabeth Braddon: Eveline's Visitant, The Cold Embrace, Good Lady Ducayne, At Chrighton Abbey, The Shadow in the Corner by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book The Cannibal Islands: Captain Cook's Adventure in the South Seas by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book Ancient China Simplified by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book The Way to Win by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book Solitude: In Two Parts by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book The Armies of Labor: A Chronicle of the Organized Wage-earners by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book Der Hirtenknabe Nikolas: Der Deutsche Kinderkreuzzug Im Jahre 1212 by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book A Tear and a Smile by Benjamin Franklin
Cover of the book The Sidereal Messenger of Galileo Galilei and a Part of the Preface to Kepler's Dioptrics Containing the Original Account of Galileo's Astronomical Discoveries by Benjamin Franklin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy