William MacDonald described Benjamin Franklin as a man who could control the common littleness of human nature1. It is clear MacDonald had tremendous respect for the special gifts Benjamin Franklin brought to Mankind, as a citizen of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States of America…and the rest of the world.
When MacDonald talked of Franklin controlling the littlenesses of human nature, he was describing Franklin’s innate ability to understand the littlenesses housed in himself and other people and adjust himself in order to get around those littlenesses so he and others could accomplish great things.
By the mid-1700’s, when he was less than 50 years old, Benjamin Franklin had become a worldwide phenomenon…a true polymath…a true leader of men…a true leader of thought...a leader in scientific thought...a true hero.
Franklin’s accomplishments are mind-boggling.
As examples:
By his early 20’s Franklin was a self-made business success.
By his late 40’s Franklin was recognized [worldwide] as a gifted scientist.
Between those milestones he had:
- created a mastermind, gathering intelligent friends to philosophize, share ideas and create practical solutions to Philadelphia's problems [his Junto, also known as the Leather Apron Club]
- created time-management/personal-organization tools and decision-making tools...his pioneer work in this area lives on in legacy, for example - 'Franklin Covey'
- co-founded an early [if not America’s first] subscription library
- co-founded an academy that became the University of Pennsylvania
- led the community movement that funded the first paving of roads in Philadelphia
- built an international printing empire by creating partnerships, funding & franchising a series of strategically-located print shops
- built a successful newspaper - the Pennsylvania Gazette
- created a bestseller – 'Poor Richard’s Almanack'
- created Philadelphia’s first volunteer fire brigade
- taught himself French, Italian and Spanish languages
- served as Philadelphia's postmaster
- invented the Franklin Stove, an energy-efficient heating system still in use today…then refused to patent it because he felt he had benefited from others’ inventions so others should benefit from his
Of course, Franklin was a well-respected civic and provincial politician…long before he became America’s political representative to other nations prior to, during, and after the American Revolution.
Yes – Franklin was one of the 56 who risked the gallows2 by signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
And, of course, Ben Franklin did that experiment with a storm, lightning, a kite and a key…and he invented the lighting rod and the best methods of installing it. This invention illustrated to the world that electricity could be controlled, to a degree, by Mankind. That illustration helped introduce a new era of scientific thought and experimentation that is still advancing today. And the lightning rod saved countless lives and reduced, on a world-wide basis, damage and loss of property caused by lighting fires.
On top of these things, Franklin was a commissioned Colonel who built a series of fortresses to protect Pennsylvanians from the French and Indian invasions in the mid-1700's, He personally led Pennsylvanians into battle against these invading forces...he led peace talks with the native Indians and, after the war had ended, he ensured the protection of peaceful Indians from unruly Pennsylvanian mobs.
Benjamin Franklin did much more than these things.
Here's another sampling...
Franklin left Boston at the age of 16, venturing out on his own to Philadelphia. He was a vegetarian during his teenage years. He understood the value of character and he practiced character-building ‘virtues’ throughout his life. This practice started when Franklin was about 20 years old. Somehow, he was wise well beyond his years. Somehow, he understood his ‘littlenesses of human nature’ and he committed to removing his own to full extent he could accomplish that goal. Benjamin Franklin worked on that throughout his life, for over 60 years. Franklin's desire to design and build his character along strict guidelines allowed him to control many, but not all, his ‘littlenesses’. He was candid about his shortcomings and he took a humble stance on his amazing accomplishments.
Benjamin Franking is a man worth studying…and his practices - his good habits - are certainly worth emulating.
It is never too late to start emulating heroes.
Footnotes
- 'The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: Now First Printed in England from the Full and Authentic Text', (1905)
- These are words Napoleon Hill used to describe the ‘founding fathers’ of what is now the U.S.A.