The Autobiography of Benjamin Frankling, by Benjamin Frankling.#

This is a very odd book. Many of the events that you may expect to read about are not mentioned at all. There is very little about the revolution and Franklin's role in it. Regardless, it was fairly interesting.#

The most interesting thing for me were the sections on the `Plan' which is mentioned throughout, but primarily discussed on page 66:#

Perhaps the most important part of that journal is the plan to be found in it, which I formed at sea, for reglating my future conduct in life. It is the more remarkable, as being formed when I was so young, and yet being pretty faithfully adhered to quite thro' to old age. [p. 38]

Advice on virtue:#

In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility. [p. 72]

• Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
• Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
• Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
• Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
• Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; that is, waste nothing.
• Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
• Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; speak accordingly.
• Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries; or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
• Moderation: Avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think deserve.
• Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
• Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable.
• Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
• Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.