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Junto； 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； or it so
appears to me at present。 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 seem'd to me some
difference； etc。 I soon found the advantage of this change in my manner；
the conversations I engag'd in went on more pleasantly。 The modest way
in which I propos'd my opinions procur'd them a readier recep tion 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。
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。 And to this habit （after my character 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。
In reality； there is； perhaps； no one of our natural passions so hard to
subdue as pride。 Disguise it； struggle with it； beat it down； stifle it； mortify
it as much as one pleases； it is still alive； and will every now and then peep
out and show itself； you will see it； perhaps； often in this history； for； even
if I could conceive that I had compleatly overcome it； I should probably be
proud of my humility。
＇Thus far written at Passy； 1741。＇
＇〃I am now about to write at home； August； 1788； but can not have the
help expected from my papers； many of them being lost in the war。 I have；
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however； found the following。〃＇
This is a marginal memorandum。B。
HAVING mentioned a great and extensive project which I had
conceiv'd； it seems proper that some account should be here given of that
project and its object。 Its first rise in my mind appears in the following
little paper； accidentally preserv'd； viz。：
Observations on my reading history； in Library； May 19th； 1731。
〃That the great affairs of the world； the wars； revolutions； etc。； are
carried on and affected by parties。
〃That the view of these parties is their present general interest； or what
they take to be such。
〃That the different views of these different parties occasion all
confusion。
〃That while a party is carrying on a general design； each man has his
particular private interest in view。
〃That as soon as a party has gain'd its general point； each member
becomes intent upon his particular interest； which； thwarting others；
breaks that party into divisions； and occasions more confusion。
〃That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good of their
country； whatever they may pretend； and； tho' their actings bring real good
to their country； yet men primarily considered that their own and their
country's interest was united； and did not act from a principle of
benevolence。
〃That fewer still； in public affairs； act with a view to the good of
mankind。
〃There seems to me at present to be great occasion for raising a United
Party for Virtue； by forming the virtuous and good men of all nations into
a regular body； to be govern'd by suitable good and wise rules； which good
and wise men may probably be more unanimous in their obedience to；
than common people are to common laws。
〃I at present think that whoever attempts this aright； and is well
qualified； can not fail of pleasing God； and of meeting with success。 B。 F。〃
Revolving this project in my mind； as to be undertaken hereafter； when
my circumstances should afford me the necessary leisure； I put down from
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time to time； on pieces of paper； such thoughts as occurr'd to me
respecting it。 Most of these are lost； but I find one purporting to be the
substance of an intended creed） containing； as I thought； the essentials of
every known religion； and being free of every thing that might shock the
professors of any religion。 It is express'd in these words； viz。：
〃That there is one God； who made all things。
〃That he governs the world by his providence。
〃That he ought to be worshiped by adoration； prayer； and
thanksgiving。
〃But that the most acceptable service of God is doing good to man。
〃That the soul is immortal。
〃And that God will certainly reward virtue and punish vice either here
or hereafter。〃
In the Middle Ages； Franklin； if such a phenomenon as Franklin
were possible in the Middle Ages； would probably have been the founder
of a monastic order。B。
My ideas at that time were； that the sect should be begun and spread at
first 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 practice of the virtues） as
in the before…mention'd model； that the existence of such a society should
he kept a secret； till it was become considerable； to prevent solicitations
for the admission of improper persons； but that the members should each
of them search among his acquaintance for ingenuous； well…disposed
youths； to whom； with prudent caution； the scheme should be grad ually
communicated； that the members should engage to afford their advice；
assistance； and support to each other in promoting one another's interests；
business； and advancement in life； that； for distinction； we should be call'd
The Society of the Free and Easy： free； as being； by the general practice
and habit of the virtues； free from the dominion of vice； and particularly
by the practice of industry and frugality； free from debt； which exposes a
man to confinement； and a species of slavery to his creditors。
This is as much as I can now recollect of the project； except that I
communicated it in part to two young men； who adopted it with some
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enthusiasm； but my then narrow circumstances； and the necessity I was
under of sticking close to my business； occasion'd my postponing the
further prosecution of it at that time； and my multifarious occupations；
public and private； induc'd me to continue postponing； so that it has been
omitted till I have no longer strength or activity left sufficient for such an
enterprise； tho' I am still of opinion that it was a practicable scheme； and
might have been very useful； by forming a great number of good citizens；
and I was not discourag'd by the seeming magnitude of the undertaking； as
I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great
changes； and accomplish great affairs among mankind； if he first forms a
good plan； and； cutting off all amusements or other employments that
would divert his attention； makes the execution of that same plan his sole
study and business。
In 1732 I first publish'd my Almanack； under the name of Richard
Saunders； it was continu'd by me about twenty…five years； commonly
call'd Poor Richard's Almanac。 I endeavor'd to make it both entertaining
and useful； and it accordingly came to be in such demand； that I reap'd
considerable p