This is a very engaging book. Franklin is clearly an interesting thinker. And he seems to be fairly honest in his representation of his thoughts, beliefs, and actions. He rejected the Christianity of his childhood, becoming a Deist, but eventually became disenchanted with Deism, saying “even if it is true, it is not useful.” He thought that his deism had a tendency to make people less moral, and though he didn’t believe the theological doctrines of Christianity, he upheld the value of its moral teaching for giving one a good life.
It’s interesting that even in this supposedly christian culture and time, he mentions plenty of people who were non-practicing. Having a society that generally upholds the truth and goodness of Christianity does not imply all the people are regenerated. It’s still a better society than ours now though.
Him and many of his friends enjoyed reading and desired to learn as much as they could in order to better themselves and further their success in life.
Interesting story about a member of the General Assembly who opposed him, who Franklin knew would grow to be a powerful person. Franklin, desiring to gain his liking, asked to borrow a rare book the man had, and then sent it back with a note of strong appreciation. Thereafter the man liked him and they even became friends.
He was involved in a treaty with the Indians, where he mentions they were known to be drunkards, and as such they wouldn’t let the Indians buy alcohol until the treaty signing was over, on the promise that they would give them some freely after. It’s interesting their susceptibility to alcoholism was already a thing way back then.
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