What was so Great About Benjamin Franklin?

My grandson brought home a piece of paper from school. At the top in big bold letters was written: “What was so Great About Benjamin Franklin?”

There was nothing else on the paper. So I was curious, and that was probably the intention of the teacher. I decided I would take the bait.

“So did you learn about Benjamin Franklin at school?”

“Nope” he stated loud and clear. 

“Were you supposed to show anyone this paper?”

“My teacher just told us to put it in our backpacks and we’d see what happened.”

With that he was off and playing with Grandpa and he wanted nothing to do with his backpack and school. I was intrigued.  So I decided to step up to the plate and play along.

I had always been impressed with the list of values that Benjamin Franklin wrote. So I went and purchased some different looking paper and I had them print the values.

“In his own words, straight from his autobiography, here are the thirteen virtues that Ben Franklin sought to obtain:

• • Temperence.

Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

• • Silence.

Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

• • Order.

Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

• • Resolution.

Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

• • Frugality.

Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i. e., waste nothing.

• • Industry.

Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

• • Sincerity.

Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

• • Justice.

Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

• • Moderation.

Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

• • Cleanliness.

Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

• • Tranquility.

Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

• • Chastity.

Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

• • Humility.

Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”

I rolled them up and tied them with a cloth ribbon. There were enough for each member of the class and a few extras. I just slipped them in the backpack and didn’t mention it to my grandson. I am kind of interested to see how that goes.