100 words to know before reading The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

1. A written account of a person's life, written by that person themselves.
2. A self-narrated story of one's own experiences and personal history.

of his own shortcomings and inability to attain. There are other reasons why the Autobiography should be an intimate friend of American young people. Here they may establish a close

1. High rank, status, or distinction in a particular field.
2. A title of honor for a cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church.

He wanted to help them by the relation of his own rise from obscurity and poverty to eminence and wealth. He is not unmindful of the importance of his public services and their recognition,

1. A form of humor using irony or exaggeration to criticize or mock.
2. A literary work exposing human folly through ridicule.

colonies, Franklin was its ablest champion abroad. To Franklin’s cogent reasoning and keen satire, we owe the clear and forcible presentation of the American case in England and France; while to

1. Short, memorable statements expressing general truths or rules of conduct.
2. Principles or rules of behavior often used as guiding beliefs.

the material prosperity of his countrymen. It is said that his widely and faithfully read maxims made Philadelphia and Pennsylvania wealthy, while Poor Richard’s pithy sayings, translated into

1. Worthy of attention; striking or unusual.
2. Exceptionally good or impressive.

style in which it is written. If Robert Louis Stevenson is right in believing that his remarkable style was acquired by imitation then the youth who would gain the power to express his ideas

1. Next in order after the seventeenth; ordinal number for 18.
2. One of eighteen equal parts of a whole.

must be considered as standing higher than any of the others which illustrated the eighteenth century. Distinguished as a statesman, he was equally great as a philosopher, thus uniting in

1. Famous and respected in a particular field.
2. Standing out prominently; distinguished.

is deemed the highest praise.” Franklin has indeed been aptly called “many-sided.” He was eminent in science and public service, in diplomacy and in literature. He was the Edison of his day,

1. Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure (not poetry).
2. A literary medium distinguished from poetry by its lack of rhythmic or stylistic constraints.

humorist. English literature of the eighteenth century was characterized by the development of prose. Periodical literature reached its perfection early in the century in The Tatler and The

1. A handwritten or typed document, especially an author's original text before publication.
2. An ancient or historical document written by hand.

slowly. It finally stopped when the narrative reached the year 1757. Copies of the manuscript were sent to friends of Franklin in England and France, among others to Monsieur Le Veillard at

1. British money, especially the pound sterling.
2. High-quality or excellent, often referring to silver (sterling silver).

to the free grammar-schools established there. I therefore give one hundred pounds sterling to my executors, to be by them … paid over to the managers or directors of the free schools in

1. Individuals appointed to carry out the terms of a will after someone's death.
2. People responsible for executing or performing tasks, plans, or orders.

free grammar-schools established there. I therefore give one hundred pounds sterling to my executors, to be by them … paid over to the managers or directors of the free schools in my native town

1. Used as a reflexive pronoun to refer to a group previously mentioned.
2. Used for emphasis to refer to a group previously mentioned.

followed. Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive

1. Excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements.
2. The quality of being worthless or futile.

in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life. And now I speak of thanking God, I desire with all humility to

1. A person whose occupation is dyeing fabrics or materials.
2. Someone who colors or stains items using dyes.

a transmigration.” John was bred a dyer, I believe of woollens, Benjamin was bred a silk dyer, serving an apprenticeship at London. He was an ingenious man. I remember him well, for when I

1. A male given name of Hebrew origin meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south."
2. Slang for a one-hundred-dollar bill (from Benjamin Franklin's portrait).

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin By Benjamin Franklin.

1. A seat without a back or arms, typically with three or four legs.
2. Feces; waste matter discharged from the bowels.

conceal and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes under and within the cover of a joint-stool. When my great-great-grandfather read it to his family, he turned up the joint-stool upon his

1. A structure built along the shore for loading and unloading ships.
2. A dock or pier where vessels can moor.

for minnows. By much trampling, we had made it a mere quagmire. My proposal was to build a wharf there fit for us to stand upon, and I showed my comrades a large heap of stones, which were

1. Legal contracts binding parties to specific terms, often for apprenticeships or servitude.
2. Formal agreements, especially historical ones involving labor or land.

be shown on occasion, but to secure to him the benefit of my service, I was to sign new indentures for the remainder of the term, which were to be kept private. A very flimsy scheme it was;

1. A person learning a trade or skill under a skilled worker.
2. A beginner or novice in any field.

themselves with admonishing me, and dismissed me, considering me, perhaps, as an apprentice, who was bound to keep his master’s secrets. During my brother’s confinement, which I resented a

1. A person one knows slightly but not as a close friend.
2. Knowledge or experience of something.

been forbidden by law, and frequently disturbed, induced some considerable men of his acquaintance to remove to that country, and he was prevailed with to accompany them thither, where they

1. A type of tall glass used for serving mixed drinks.
2. A surname of English or Irish origin.

what little ability I have in that way. There was another bookish lad in the town, John Collins by name, with whom I was intimately acquainted. We sometimes disputed, and very fond we were of

1. Having knowledge or experience of something.
2. Familiar with someone or something.

was another bookish lad in the town, John Collins by name, with whom I was intimately acquainted. We sometimes disputed, and very fond we were of argument, and very desirous of confuting one

1. A statement or situation that opposes another, creating inconsistency.
2. A logical inconsistency between two or more propositions.

become a very bad habit, making people often extremely disagreeable in company by the contradiction that is necessary to bring it into practice; and thence, besides souring and spoiling the

1. To ride on ocean waves using a board.
2. The foam and waves of the sea.

the island, we found it was at a place where there could be no landing, there being a great surf on the stony beach. So we dropped anchor, and swung round towards the shore. Some people came

1. A small establishment providing lodging, food, and drink (often in a rural setting).
2. A tavern or pub.

taken up on that suspicion. However, I proceeded the next day, and got in the evening to an inn, within eight or ten miles of Burlington, kept by one Dr. Brown. He entered into conversation

1. A person who has fled or escaped, often from home or authority.
2. Something that is out of control or not restrained.

asked me, as it seemed to be suspected from my youth and appearance, that I might be some runaway. After dinner, my sleepiness returned, and being shown to a bed, I lay down without undressing,

1. A small house or cabin, often in a rural or natural setting.
2. A local branch of a society or organization.

while I worked with him. He had a house, indeed, but without furniture, so he could not lodge me; but he got me a lodging at Mr. Read’s before mentioned, who was the owner of his house; and,

1. A place to stay temporarily, such as a hotel or rented room.
2. The act of providing or occupying temporary accommodation.

I liked, and, accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger could get lodging. We were then near the sign of the Three Mariners. “Here,” says he, “is one place that entertains

1. (archaic) You (singular), used as the object of a verb or preposition.
2. (poetic) A form of 'you' in older or religious texts.

she took me aside, and said, “Young man, I am concerned for thee, as thou hast no friend with thee, and seems not to know much of the world, or of the snares youth is exposed to; depend upon it,

1. A mournful poem or song, especially for the dead.
2. A reflective, melancholic musical composition.

present, and there I lodged and dieted. A few days after, Keimer sent for me to print off the Elegy. And now he had got another pair of cases,28 and a pamphlet to reprint, on which he set me to

1. A surname of English origin, famously associated with Sherlock Holmes, a fictional detective.
2. Slang term for a detective or investigator, inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

I had been absent seven months, and my friends had heard nothing of me; for my brother Holmes was not yet returned, and had not written about me. My unexpected appearance surprised the

1. To obtain or acquire something, especially with care or effort.
2. To arrange or bring about by deliberate action.

and, if I would set up there, he made no doubt I should succeed; for his part, he would procure me the public business, and do me every other service in his power. This my brother-in-law

1. A place where alcoholic drinks are served and consumed, often with food.
2. A small inn or lodging house, especially in historical contexts.

stared like a pig poisoned.30 I went, however, with the governor and Colonel French to a tavern, at the corner of Third-street, and over the Madeira he proposed my setting up my business, laid

1. A fortified wine from Portugal's Madeira Islands.
2. The largest island of the Madeira archipelago.

the governor and Colonel French to a tavern, at the corner of Third-street, and over the Madeira he proposed my setting up my business, laid before me the probabilities of success, and both he

1. To send money as payment or gift.
2. To cancel or refrain from exacting (a penalty or debt).

happening to meet with him, agreed to carry him thither. He left me then, promising to remit me the first money he should receive in order to discharge the debt; but I never heard of him

1. Past tense of 'trepan': to bore or cut a hole in the skull for medical or surgical purposes.
2. Deceived or tricked someone (archaic usage).

We therefore had many disputations. I used to work him so with my Socratic method, and had trepanned him so often by questions apparently so distant from any point we had in hand, and yet by degrees

1. Proving a statement or argument to be false or invalid.
2. Refuting or contradicting someone's claims with evidence.

acquainted. We sometimes disputed, and very fond we were of argument, and very desirous of confuting one another, which disputatious turn, by the way, is apt to become a very bad habit, making

1. A group within a larger religion with distinct beliefs or practices.
2. A faction or division within a political or social movement.

were chiefly either polemic arguments, or explications of the peculiar doctrines of our sect, and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and unedifying, since not a single moral principle

1. To deliver a religious sermon or message.
2. To advocate or promote a belief or idea earnestly.

proposed my being his colleague in a project he had of setting up a new sect. He was to preach the doctrines, and I was to confound all opponents. When he came to explain with me upon the

1. A person who writes poetry.
2. Someone skilled in the art of verse.

man, of excellent character, much respected in the town, clerk of the Assembly, and a pretty poet. Keimer made verses too, but very indifferently. He could not be said to write them, for his

1. A long journey involving travel by sea or in space.
2. The act or process of traveling from one place to another.

the utmost importance, but should send the letters to me on board, wished me heartily a good voyage and a speedy return, etc. I returned on board a little puzzled, but still not doubting. Mr.

1. A former British currency unit, equal to 1/20 of a pound or 12 pence.
2. The basic monetary unit of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Somalia.

give him more strength than a quart of beer. He drank on, however, and had four or five shillings to pay out of his wages every Saturday night for that muddling liquor; an expense I was free

1. Placed or fixed firmly in a particular position.
2. Temporarily staying or residing in a place.

me to let him add that to the number, for which he paid me handsomely. In our house there lodged a young woman, a milliner, who, I think, had a shop in the Cloisters. She had been genteelly

1. A unit of liquid capacity equal to 16 fluid ounces (US) or 20 fluid ounces (UK).
2. A container, typically made of glass, used for serving beer or cider.

a pint at breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint between breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a pint in the afternoon about six o’clock, and another when he had done his day’s

1. Convinced someone to believe or do something through reasoning or argument.
2. Influenced someone's thoughts or actions by appealing to their feelings or logic.

was impatient to have me bound to my brother. I stood out some time, but at last was persuaded, and signed the indentures when I was yet but twelve years old. I was to serve as an apprentice

1. Writing materials like paper, pens, and envelopes.
2. Office supplies used for correspondence or writing tasks.

This struck the rest, and we soon after had offers from one of them to supply us with stationery; but as yet we did not choose to engage in shop business. I mention this industry the more

1. A person employed to keep records or accounts in an office.
2. A sales assistant in a store.

and for which the preparation must be so expensive. My friend and companion Collins, who was a clerk in the post-office, pleased with the account I gave him of my new country, determined to go

1. To fail to pay a debt or fulfill an obligation (often used in the phrase "welsh on a bet").
2. (Offensive) A term historically used to refer to people from Wales.

with any, I closed again with Keimer. I found in his house these hands: Hugh Meredith, a Welsh Pennsylvanian, thirty years of age, bred to country work; honest, sensible, had a great deal of

1. A surname of English origin.
2. A type of fracture in bones, known as Pott's fracture.

to come on hereafter, was what he had drawn them in with. Meredith was to work at press, Potts at bookbinding, which he, by agreement, was to teach them, though he knew neither one nor

1. Clever and amusing in expression.
2. Quick and inventive in humor.

characterized before. Robert Grace, a young gentleman of some fortune, generous, lively, and witty; a lover of punning and of his friends. And William Coleman, then a merchant’s clerk, about my

1. A printed publication containing news, articles, and advertisements, usually issued daily or weekly.
2. The organization responsible for producing and distributing such a publication.

being dissuaded by some of his friends from the undertaking, as not likely to succeed, one newspaper being, in their judgment, enough for America. At this time (1771) there are not less than

1. A small, secret political group or faction.
2. A council or assembly, often with political influence.

most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual improvement, which was called the “Junto”;54 we met on Friday evenings. The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his turn,

1. Used to emphasize a statement or response.
2. Truly or certainly (often expressing agreement).

and solid judgment in prudential matters, both in private and public affairs. In the latter, indeed, he was never employed, the numerous family he had to educate and the straitness of his

1. Uncommon in occurrence or experience.

my father’s books of dispute about religion. Persons of good sense, I have since observed, seldom fall into it, except lawyers, university men, and men of all sorts that have been bred at

1. Formed an idea or plan in the mind.
2. Understood or imagined something in a particular way.

IX Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing

1. Deliberately created rather than arising naturally.
2. Artificial or forced, lacking spontaneity.

types cast at James’s in London, but without much attention to the manner; however, I now contrived a mould, made use of the letters we had as puncheons, struck the matrices in lead, and thus

1. The practice of being economical with resources.
2. Avoiding waste or unnecessary spending.

with whom I spent my evenings very pleasantly; and gaining money by my industry and frugality, I lived very agreeably, forgetting Boston as much as I could, and not desiring that any there

1. The quality of being humble; modesty about one's importance or achievements.
2. A recognition of one's limitations and imperfections.

if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility. [Thus far written at Passy, 1784.] [“I am now about to write at home, August, 1788, but cannot

1. Marked with small spots or patches of color.
2. Covered or dotted with tiny specks or flecks.

in other points of vice and virtue, have given up the struggle, and concluded that “a speckled ax was best”; for something, that pretended to be reason, was every now and then suggesting to me

1. Delaying an event or action to a later time.
2. Putting off something that was scheduled.

and the necessity I was under of sticking close to my business, occasioned my postponing the further prosecution of it at that time; and my multifarious occupations, public and private,

1. A yearly publication containing calendars, weather forecasts, and other useful information.
2. A reference book with facts and statistics on various topics.

X Poor Richard’s Almanac and Other Activities In 1732 I first published my Almanac, under the name of “Richard Saunders”;

1. A religious discourse delivered by a clergy member during worship.
2. A moral or instructive talk or lecture.

were his own; adding, that his memory was such as enabled him to retain and repeat any sermon after one reading only. On our defeat, he left us in search elsewhere of better fortune, and I

1. Officers of the peace with limited policing authority.
2. Low-ranking police officers in some jurisdictions.

but insisting more particularly on the inequality of this six-shilling tax of the constables, respecting the circumstances of those who paid it, since a poor widow housekeeper, all whose

1. A police officer of the lowest rank.
2. A peace officer with limited policing authority, often in small towns.

than was necessary for that purpose, and made the constableship a place of profit; and the constable, for a little drink, often got such ragamuffins about him as a watch, that respectable

1. A person who delivers sermons or religious speeches.
2. A minister or clergy member who leads worship services.

was much scribbling pro and con upon the occasion; and finding that, though an elegant preacher, he was but a poor writer, I lent him my pen and wrote for him two or three pamphlets, and one

1. Religious speeches or talks given by clergy during worship services.
2. Moral or spiritual lessons delivered to an audience.

a particular affection between him and my father. He was very pious, a great attender of sermons of the best preachers, which he took down in his shorthand, and had with him many volumes of

1. Spoke publicly about religious or moral principles.
2. Delivered a sermon or religious discourse.

books against Deism52 fell into my hands; they were said to be the substance of sermons preached at Boyle’s Lectures. It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was

1. A task or project that is taken on, often one that is difficult or important.
2. A formal pledge or promise to do something.

town’s people that had a good will for him, entered into a conversation on his present undertaking and prospects; while Bradford, not discovering that he was the other printer’s father, on

1. A member of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian group emphasizing inner light and pacifism.
2. A person who shakes or trembles, often due to fear or illness.

Walking down again toward the river, and, looking in the faces of people, I met a young Quaker man, whose countenance I liked, and, accosting him, requested he would tell me where a stranger

1. A small booklet or leaflet containing information or arguments about a single subject.
2. A short, unbound printed work, often for promotional or educational purposes.

sent for me to print off the Elegy. And now he had got another pair of cases,28 and a pamphlet to reprint, on which he set me to work. These two printers I found poorly qualified for their

1. Members of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian group emphasizing inner light and pacifism.
2. People who tremble or shake, often due to fear or illness.

government there. It was in favour of liberty of conscience, and in behalf of the Baptists, Quakers, and other sectaries that had been under persecution, ascribing the Indian wars, and other

1. Built or constructed (a structure or building).
2. Raised upright into position.

increased in people, and new places of worship were continually wanted, and generally erected by voluntary contribution, my mite for such purpose, whatever might be the sect, was never

1. An alcoholic drink made from sugarcane or molasses.
2. A card game where players try to match cards in sets or runs.

retired to our lodging. At midnight a number of them came thundering at our door, demanding more rum, of which we took no notice. The next day, sensible they had misbehaved in giving us that

1. Covered with a hard, smooth surface, like concrete or asphalt.
2. Made easier or more accessible.

By talking and writing on the subject, I was at length instrumental in getting the street paved with stone between the market and the bricked foot-pavement, that was on each side next the

1. A hard surface covering a road or sidewalk, typically made of concrete or asphalt.
2. The sidewalk or footpath beside a road for pedestrians.

the rest of the street not being paved, whenever a carriage came out of the mud upon this pavement, it shook off and left its dirt upon it, and it was soon covered with mire, which was not

1. To or toward that place (archaic or poetic).
2. Used to indicate movement toward a specified point.

for the sons of a gentleman at Barbados, happening to meet with him, agreed to carry him thither. He left me then, promising to remit me the first money he should receive in order to discharge

1. Official approval or commendation.
2. Praise or recognition for an action or behavior.

on it in my hearing, and I had the exquisite pleasure of finding it met with their approbation, and that, in their different guesses at the author, none were named but men of some character

1. Without any opposition or disagreement; with complete agreement.
2. Done or agreed upon by everyone involved.

reprisals on my adversaries.” I heard, however, no more of this; I was chosen again unanimously as usual at the next election. Possibly, as they disliked my late intimacy with the members of

1. Angry arguments or disagreements between people.
2. A type of arrow used in crossbows.

XV Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors In my journey to Boston this year, I met at New York with our new

1. Relating to an owner or ownership.
2. Privately owned and controlled.

XV Quarrels with the Proprietary Governors In my journey to Boston this year, I met at New York with our new governor, Mr. Morris,

1. A traditional English folk dance performed with handkerchiefs or sticks.
2. A type of decorative embroidery or needlework.

still some transactions to be mentioned that happened during the administration of Governor Morris. War being in a manner commenced with France, the government of Massachusetts Bay projected an

1. Supplies of food, drink, or equipment, especially for a journey.
2. Legal clauses or stipulations in a document.

Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly to pass a militia law, and make other provisions for the security of the province, having proved abortive, I determined to try what might be done

1. Agreement or approval, often given formally.
2. To express acceptance or concurrence.

among young and single men only; that each person to be initiated should not only declare his assent to such creed, but should have exercised himself with the thirteen weeks’ examination and

1. A journey or voyage for a specific purpose, such as exploration or research.
2. A group of people undertaking such a journey.

XVI Braddock’s Expedition The British government, not choosing to permit the union of the colonies as proposed at Albany,

1. Vehicles with wheels, typically horse-drawn, for transporting people.
2. The part of a train where passengers sit.

the mud, when raked up, be not left in heaps to be spread abroad again by the wheels of carriages and trampling of horses, but that the scavengers be provided with bodies of carts, not placed

1. A seat for a rider on a horse or bicycle.
2. A cut of meat including part of the backbone.

pounds he has advanced; pay my little personal debts, and give me thirty pounds and a new saddle, I will relinquish the partnership, and leave the whole in your hands.” I agreed to this

1. Obtaining something, especially with care or effort.
2. Securing the services of someone, often for illegal activities like prostitution.

the Rev. Gilbert Tennent,89 came to me with a request that I would assist him in procuring a subscription for erecting a new meetinghouse. It was to be for the use of a congregation he had

1. A military force composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers.
2. A local army organized for emergency defense, often not part of the regular armed forces.

endeavour of our governor, Thomas, to prevail with our Quaker Assembly to pass a militia law, and make other provisions for the security of the province, having proved abortive, I

1. The position of the body when standing or sitting.
2. A mental or emotional attitude or stance.

acquainting me that he had called the Assembly, and wished my attendance there, if the posture of affairs on the frontiers was such that my remaining there was no longer necessary. My friends,

1. Projectiles like bullets or shells used in weapons.
2. Supplies or materials needed for a particular purpose.

and endeavouring to recover some of the lost honour, he ordered all the stores, ammunition, etc., to be destroyed, that he might have more horses to assist his flight towards the

1. A fence of wooden stakes or iron railings for defense or enclosure.
2. A line of steep cliffs, especially along a river or coast.

the circumference measuring four hundred and fifty-five feet, which would require as many palisades to be made of trees, one with another, of a foot diameter each. Our axes, of which we had

1. Requests or expressions made to a deity or higher power.
2. Religious rituals or words spoken in worship.

minister, Mr. Beatty, who complained to me that the men did not generally attend his prayers and exhortations. When they enlisted, they were promised, besides pay and provisions, a gill of

1. Being with someone or something else, often for support or company.
2. Having additional elements or features present alongside the main item.

as a young genius that had a turn for libeling and satire. My brother’s discharge was accompanied with an order of the House (a very odd one), that “James Franklin should no longer print the

1. A burden or hindrance.
2. A legal claim or liability on property.

for some time, with people who came to see these new wonders. To divide a little this incumbrance among my friends, I caused a number of similar tubes to be blown at our glasshouse, with which

1. A set of equipment or tools for a specific purpose.
2. A complex structure within an organization or system.

from the clouds. This engaged the public attention everywhere. M. de Lor, who had an apparatus for experimental philosophy, and lectured in that branch of science, undertook to repeat what he

1. A strip of leather or fabric used for fastening or decoration.
2. A long, narrow piece of land.

for drawing lightning from the clouds. This engaged the public attention everywhere. M. de Lor, who had an apparatus for experimental philosophy, and lectured in that branch of science,

1. Moved across water using sails or wind power.
2. Traveled smoothly or effortlessly.

usually passing between London and Philadelphia. But it would be some months before Annis sailed, so I continued working with Keimer, fretting about the money Collins had got from me, and in

1. A piece of fabric attached to a boat to catch wind and propel it forward.
2. To travel on water using sails or a sailing vessel.

I might not miss her by any delay of mine. His answer was, “I have given out that she is to sail on Saturday next; but I may let you know, entre nous, that if you are there by Monday morning,

1. Held in custody or confinement, often by authorities.
2. Delayed or kept from proceeding.

Captain Bonnell, who commanded one of those packets. He told me that, when he had been detained a month, he acquainted his lordship that his ship was grown foul, to a degree that must

1. The act of traveling or moving over water in a boat or ship.
2. The sport or activity of operating a sailboat.

never heard from him, and could not know what he was doing. This daily expectation of sailing, and all the three packets going down to Sandy Hook, to join the fleet there, the passengers