'becca’s Reviews > The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: with Related Documents > Status Update
'becca
is on page 96 of 210
And to this habit (after my chart of integrity) I think it principally owing that I had early so much weight with my fellow-citizens when I proposed new institutions, or alterations in the old, and so much influence in public councils when I became a member; for I was but a bad speaker, never eloquent, subject to much hesitation in my choice of words, hardly correct in language, and yet I generally carried my points.
— Mar 17, 2022 09:06AM
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'becca
is on page 156 of 210
when men are employ'd, they are best content'd; for on the days they worked they were goodnatur'd and cheerful, and, with the consciousness of having done a good day's work, they spent the evening jollity; but on our idle days they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault, and in continual ill-humor.
— Mar 24, 2022 08:58AM
'becca
is on page 138 of 210
in the course of my observation, these disputing, contradicting, and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.
— Mar 19, 2022 03:51PM
'becca
is on page 107 of 210
'He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.'
— Mar 17, 2022 11:23AM
'becca
is on page 101 of 210
In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libelling and personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful to our country.
— Mar 17, 2022 09:24AM
'becca
is on page 100 of 210
it being more difficult for a man in want, to act always honestly, as, to use here one of those proverbs, it is hard for an empty sack to stand up-right.
— Mar 17, 2022 09:21AM
'becca
is on page 96 of 210
And this mode, which I at first put on with some violence to natural inclination, became at length so easy, and so habitual to me, that perhaps for these fifty years past no one has ever heard a dogmatical expression escape me.
— Mar 17, 2022 09:04AM
'becca
is on page 96 of 210
I soon found the advantage of this change in my manner; the conversations I engaged in went on more pleasantly. The modest way in which I propos'd my opinions procur'd them a readier reception and less contradiction; I had less mortification when I was found to be in the wrong, and I more easily prevail'd with others to give up their mistakes and join with me when I happened to be in the right.
— Mar 17, 2022 08:59AM
'becca
is on page 96 of 210
When another asserted something that I thought an error, I deny'd myself the pleasure of contradicting him abruptly, and of showing immediately some absurdity in his proposition; and in answering I began by observing that in certain cases or circumstances his opinion would be right, but in the present case there appear'd or seemed to me some difference, etc.
— Mar 17, 2022 08:55AM
'becca
is on page 96 of 210
I made a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiments of others. I forbid myself the use of every word or expression in the language that imported a fix'd opinion, such as certainly, undoubtedly, etc., and I adopted instead of them, I conceive, I apprehend, or I imagine a thing to be so, or so it appears to me at present.
— Mar 17, 2022 08:49AM
