The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Good morning, everyone! Today I want to talk about the book: the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. About Benjamin Franklin, I guess we all are very familiar with him, so I want to just give you a brief introduction. Born in 1706, Benjamin Franklin is not only one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He is a leading writer, publisher, inventor, diplomat, scientist, and philosopher. He is well-known for his experiments with electricity and lightning.

Next, I want to talk about his autobiography. The book starts as a letter to his son. At first, he briefly introduces his family history. Then he begins to tell his own life. He goes to school when at the age of 8, but he is taken to help his father in his business of making candles and soaps. He then becomes an apprentice in his brother’s factory. When he is only 17 years old, he leaves Boston for Philadelphia alone. He has changed several places to work, but all his work is about printing. So, in Philadelphia he masters many printing skills and more importantly, he is acquainted with many people. Afterwards he has been to London for 18 months. When he comes back to Philadelphia, he begins his own printing business, gradually, make it a great success. At the same time, he has formed most of his ingenious acquaintance into a club for mutual improvement, which is called the Junto. Based on it, he and his friends several years later build the first library in America. He not only makes his business a success, but also gains a lot of respects and reputation from the society. The government speaks highly of him and has commissioned him to deal with the conflicts with Indians and England. He makes great contributions to the American independence. From the poverty and obscurity in which he was born, and in which he passed his earliest years, Franklin has raised himself to a state of affluence and celebrity in the world. He has a voracious appetite for knowledge and pursues it all his life. So, he is proficient in French, Spanish, Italian, and Latin. No pain, no gain. His success is based on his consistent endeavor and willpower. Therefore, if we want to achieve something, we should put in a lot of hard work and be voracious and enthusiastic. From this book, I also learn the art of getting along with others, especially when we try to express a different idea. As Franklin says, he will never use the words “definitely” “absolutely” and so on, when he communicates with others. It is very useful. If we tell something in an arbitrary and absolute way, it may cause disputes, so people can not treat your opinion with justice. In addition, this way of expressing will not please the listeners, nor can persuade them to agree with us. So, when we give a different opinion, we can say “in my opinion” “if I’m not in the wrong” and so forth. Moreover, what make a deep impression on me are his 13 virtues in his autobiography. They are as follows: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility. In order to attain these virtues, he makes a little book, in which he allots a page for each of the virtues. I think that there are several virtues very practical to us. First, it’s order. Everything has its order. So does our life. If we make it a mess, nothing can go on. Consequently, we should put things in order. Then it’s resolution. We all have dreams, but few have the resolution to make it come true. When we resolve to do something, just carry on and don’t give up. Thirdly, it’s industry. Einstein says that

genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. No one could succeed without hard working. Therefore, don’t waste time and work hard, we will harvest a lot. Finally, it’s sincerity. Being sincere is very important, especially to friends. The maintenance of a friendship is not only based on the mutual trust and understanding, but also based on the sincerity.

In a word, I benefit a lot from his autobiography. The words he uses are easy to understand and quite philosophical. Moreover, the way he conducts himself teaches me a lot. And more importantly, I learn that nothing in the world is impossible, if you set your mind to do it.

 

第二篇：Book Report about the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Book Report about the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin He has many titles, as people know, such as, Politician, Scientist, businessman, and philosopher and so on. Before reading his autobiography, I just thought Franklin was a great scientist. Until now I have known he had many other aspects of I know nothing.

Our English teacher has ever told us the Declaration of Independence was a rather classic opus. Franklin was just one of the few people who took part in drafting the document.

Franklin seems to be a legend in my eyes, with who Jefferson can equal. But in his childhood, like other poor boys, he stayed in school for several years, dropped out, then worked as an apprentice to lighten the burden of his family, which had thirteen children. However, he wasn’t content with the present situation he was. He has his own dream, his own ambitions. I suppose that determination and persistence can make people difference. If you insist on it, you will be somebody, or you will be nobody. Although Franklin hadn’t got well educated, he taught himself in his spear time and never gave up. When his father figured out him that he fell far short in elegance, Franklin at once grew more attentive to the manner in writing and determined to endeavor at improvement. All this built a steady function on his writing and speech.

For the pursuit of curiosity about the outside world, Franklin left 1

home set foot in Philadelphia alone with little money. He has the spirit of early American immigrants, hard-working, tenacity, insistence and adventure. When the first group immigrants set foot in America, they tried everything to adapt to the rough living conditions and built their own hometown. They, Franklin and people struggling at that time all have the American spirit. Because of it, he owned his printing factory gradually. Indefinitely his honesty and sincerity helped him won the business and honor.

Franklin was strict with himself; especially he listed thirteen moral virtues which he thought that is necessary to him, for example, industry, justice, sincerity and so on. Later people called it “13-point plan for honest living” He actually did as he planed. Besides he also made a scheme of the twenty-four hours of a nature day. He did not exaggerate his excellence but told us what he was abjectly. We can learn all aspects of him from his narrative, including his merits and demerits, what he regretted doing. Although he was not perfect, he was more honorable than the perfect one. Some don’t know what they are weak at, some know it but they don’t want to change, only a few not only know it but also change it, and then they succeed. Maybe it’s the reason that the distinction between the great and the ordinary. The kind old man taught us a lesson that being success needs more than fortune and endeavors

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Franklin also invented many important things for our daily life. A person who didn’t obtain formal education still can be a scientist, which sounds like a tale, but Franklin observed ordinary life seriously and found out the stuff that people ignored ordinary things. People always complained that the fate is not fare or they don’t have good fortune. However, in fact, the chances are lost by themselves. Sometimes people envy others who achieve the success, but forget others’ great effort.

He is an important man in the Independent War. Several battles showed his outstanding ability to make directions. The old man also gave us some examples about socializing, working. An official was always wondering he had rich experience, finally he lost the war. The proudest army is most easy to be defeated. Someone wouldn’t like to hear others’ advice. No one is independent without others’ help. Franklin drafted projects and persuaded France helping American to fight against English army. He told us his various experiences in a humble tone, as if it wasn’t dangerous or important. So I wonder whether people don’t pay too much attention to the reputation and status, they can make far more progress

Many people, especially the youth, know how to do, how to change their life. They are just lack of courage and persistence. We always defeated by ourselves not the difficulties. At that time we find

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thousands of excuses to get ourselves rid of regret. After reading his autobiography, an idea came up to my mind that you can’t decide where you are born, but you can choose your fate.

God won’t give up you, if you don’t give up yourself.

Published by Peking Press 2008.7

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