the life of benjamin franklin
... the top in his class, with 12 other siblings, his father was unable to continue funding his schooling. That did not, however, impede him from learning on his own. “From a child,” Franklin said, “I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came in to my hands was ever laid out in books.” Franklin was quick to learn, and eager to expand his mind. He later accredited his ability to converse with other dignitaries in such ease to the time he had spent alone, reading in silence. “My mind, having been much more improved by reading…, I suppose it was for that reason my conversation seemed more valued.” Franklin was not a man to be dragged along by the ebbing flow of life. He was a “…self-willed man who moved through life at a calculated pace toward calculated ends.” Rather than shoulder-shrugging to his duties, he squared up, slowly learning and progressing, just as a young adolescent progressively grows into his suit. He strove for personal and human wide progress. He developed his own character in such a way that would benefit all who were in the reach of his influence. In his quest for self-improvement, he formed a club “composed of enterprising tradesmen and artisans…” that would discuss topics pertinent to the improvement of society and their own lifestyles. Also known as the Leather Apron Club, the Junto (its official name) was a place where Franklin and his associates could support one another, personally and professionally. It was also there that Franklin learned to listen. He concluded that knowledge “was obtained rather by the use of the ear than of the tongue.” No matter what the situation or circumstance, Franklin was always focused on improving his character and abilities. In spite of the criticism received from his father, Benjamin loved to write and practiced diligently to magnify his skills. He would read well-thought out essays, books, and literature and would delegate himself the responsibility to rearrange the essay in a manner that would better support the essay’s argument. He spent his time wisely, creating his own self-improvement courses that in turn would not only benefit himself, but would benefit an entire nation whose future independence unknowingly would rest partly on the shoulders of the self-taught printer. From the Junto, Franklin formed relationships with certain men that would prove worthwhile. He formed friendships easily, and was able to achieve his goals by his charisma. People were attracted to him, which often attributed to his heartaches. While in England on an assignment to purchase equipment for his own print shop, he disco...