Benjamin Franklin's 3 Principles for a Successful Life

Introduction

Benjamin Franklin was an American Polymath, born on January 17, 1706. He was a famous author, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. He was quite well known for his work as a scientist especially in the American Enlightenment and in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories mainly regarding electricity. Benjamin Franklin had two years of grammar education and then he went on to become an Entrepreneur. He was one of the founding fathers of the United States and also one of the first people who wrote about the principles of success.

Story of Benjamin Franklin and 3 principles of his success

Benjamin Franklin didn’t belong to a prominent family rather his family wasn’t financially sound and that’s why he could afford to send him to grammar school for two years only. His father sent him off to apprentice at his older brother's print company by the time he was 13. There, Franklin used to compose pamphlets, sell the paper on the streets, set up the type, and did all other printer-related works. He also started writing columns as a middle-aged widow with the pseudonym 'Mrs. Silence Dogood', who wrote about the social conditions of women and the problems faced by them. But when James, the elder brother of Benjamin, found out that his younger brother was writing those columns, he got furious. Due to the harassment and beatings given by James, Franklin became a fugitive and at the age of 17, he ran away from his family. After trying his luck and failing as a printer in New York and New Jersey, he moved to Philadelphia where he managed to find a job with a printer. 

Don't forget to watch a story of Bruce Lee and his letter to himself:

Franklin was unsatisfied with his prospects there and other similar jobs in printer’s shops in London and England due to which he returned to Philadelphia in 1726. He had set up his own printing house after 4 years where he started publishing a newspaper called The Pennsylvania Gazette. He regularly gave himself a space to comment on the social issues of that time thus, cultivated his image as an intellectual and a productive young man.
Franklin took his retirement from the printing business in 1748 officially but he kept on writing satirical essays and literature throughout the rest of his life. He also began to take a formal role in public life, became councilman, Justice of the Peace in Pennsylvania, and an elected member of the Assembly. After 5 years, he got appointed as the Joint Deputy Postmaster-General of North America and various other posts. Benjamin Franklin even started working towards independence as part of the 5 member committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. He got retired from public office in 1787 after which, he attended a series of meetings done for making the constitution of the United States. In fact, he was the only Founding Father who signed the country’s all three major founding documents namely, The Declaration of Independence, The Treaty of Paris, and the U.S. Constitution. In his lifetime, Benjamin Franklin made inventions. His well-known inventions include The Odometer, Swim Fins, Glass Armonica, Reaching Device (the Long Arm), American Political Cartooning, Bifocal Eyeglasses, Lightning Rod, and The Franklin Stove.

Benjamin Franklin's 3 principles for a successful life

Benjamin Franklin's 3 principles for a successful life with the help which he could achieve so much in his life are:
1. Always Keep Learning: The first principle of Benjamin Franklin’s 3 principles for successful life is to always keep learning. He kept on learning different skills all through his life which helped him reach such heights and lead a successful life. He learned lessons from his failures and the troubles that he faced in all the phases of his life.
2. Don't Waste Time: The second principle of Benjamin Franklin’s 3 principles for successful life is to stop wasting time. He was a multi-tasker and therefore, he always kept on doing different types of work like writing even when he worked with the printer. He knew the value of time very well.

3. Be Kind to One Another: The third principle of Benjamin Franklin’s 3 principles for successful life is to be kind to one another. He was a very kind soul and often in his speeches also talked about the rights of black people and to end slavery. He also wrote about women's rights and other social causes.

Summary

Benjamin Franklin’s 3 principles for successful life can help us live a successful and fulfilled life. He was a fabulous person who lived a socially active life. He was one of the first few American politicians who spoke for putting an end to slavery in the United States. In the later years of his life, most of the time was consumed in speaking, writing, and publicly admonishing the politicians who believed in slavery. Benjamin Franklin wanted to start schools for black children. Abraham Lincoln was lead to the same realization by his beliefs.