Benjamin Franklin | The Original Self Improvement Guru: Harvard Classics - HC1 Ep1.

Benjamin Franklin | The Original Self-Improvement Guru: Harvard Classics
Benjamin Franklin is one of those individuals in history I could sit around a fire with, sipping a cold brew, and just listen to the tales and stories of his remarkable time in history. His wit, his energy, and his lessons have placed him on the shelves of history as a truly remarkable founding father. Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography should hold a special place in the hearts of all Americans. I hope you enjoy this episode of Franklin's Autobiography as much as I enjoyed reading and creating it. Live virtuously and live well! Let's go meet the tamer of lightning, the father of the almanac, and the negotiator for American Independence. Enjoy!
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[@Joeyppeterscorp]

My favorite aspect of the autobiography is during the beginning where he details how he taught himself to write. It's still effective now over 300 years later, and should be studied by any serious autodidact. The steps put simply: 1. Find a work by an author who is a much better writer than you are. For each sentence jot a short hint; set it aside for a few days. Attempt to rewrite it in your own style using only the hints and correct your errors. 2. Take the sentence clues and cut them up with scissors and mix them up. After a few weeks come back to the sentence cards and replace them in what you feel is the correct order. Recompose the piece and see how close you got. 3. Find a story and convert it to a poem use a thesarus to find words to suit a rhyming structure to improve your vocabulary.

[@The_Cause]

That’s is a very good point. I am glad you listed this out. For some reason you explaining and pointing it out allows it to sink in a little better. I may actually sit down and try this out and see what comes of it. Truly appreciate you taking the time to watch and share your thoughts. Stay blessed my friend!

[@undefinedreference]

Long term autodidact very much up for the challenge of some serious reading. To use the head for something meaningful and productive rather than doom scrolling. Thanks for throwing down the gauntlet. This series seems to offer a great opportunity to read books I wouldnt ordinarily choose to examine and in many cases havent even heard of. For me Franklins pursuit of the life of virtue was the heart of this book. A provocation to consider how often do we really self examine to the extent that he did? Its like he saw himself, rather than his work, as his most important project. Guy knew how to market stuff too; its a shame rum and prayers didnt become an institution in the end...

[@The_Cause]

Self examination was a major overall theme in the first volume. I am understanding a little more of why Elliot positioned Franklin first. I would love to have you on the journey reading through these. Thanks for watching and stay blessed!

[@lexqqy4032]

Once I finished reading Marcus Aurelius' meditation I decided to keep a journal and to arrange a set of virtues to live by. It surprised me to see that other people Like Benjamin Franklin also decided gather a set of virtues to practice. These are the ones that I decided on 1. Sincerity 2. Wisdom 3. Diligence 4. Moderation 5. Valiant(Valorous) 6. Justice/Fairness 7. Cordiality

[@The_Cause]

Dang! That is close. Both are very influential and in so different of ways. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@alanamccool7409]

The main thing to take from the virtue weeks is that he could not do it. He tried to make him virtuous that way, and it did not work, because every time he worked on a new virtue, the other ones failed. But I think the problem was more that he tried to do it all by himself. If he did it together with other people, it would have worked better.

[@The_Cause]

They did it with friends. It was called the Junto club. I definitely see what you are saying but I think Franklin sums it up good in this quote. “On the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection, I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet as I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been, had I not attempted it.” If you set out to run a marathon and only make it 24 miles out of the 26.2 then congrats. You failed but it’s better than sitting on the couch and never taking the first step. Sometimes failure is a great sign that people are trying and I have to remind myself about that often. Truly appreciate you watching my friend and stay blessed!

[@timkoontz7370]

No human can perfect themselves. Original Sin, “Constrained Vision”, human fallibility etc. The point of Franklin’s experiment is to try to improve and be accountable.

[@The_Cause]

Completely agree. Thanks for sharing buddy!

[@JPJ432]

@@The_CauseI think a really good book review would be the autobiography "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass" the man's a true inspiration. Also crazy part of history he lived in during the civil war that were not taught such as how It was Russia who saved The Union during the American Civil War as they sent their Navy to San Francisco and New York when England and France were just about to enter the war on the side of the Confederates since London created the Confederates. France was already in Mexico making a spear head movement to resupply the Confederates and to open up a Pacific Theatre and to create a port in California. England already amassed 11,000 troops and growing stationed at their Northern Confederacies border now called Canada ready to open a Northern Theatre to divert Union troops away from their Southern Confederacy then to attack The Unions naval blockade. The Union would have been completely destroyed and annexed by those two great powers leaving the Confederates to exist as either a puppet state of London or to be fully brought back into the fold of the British Empire. London was already courting (threatening/bribing) other countries to get involved like Spain while Russia was in talks with Prussia to ally with incase London was to intervene. Seeing all of this Tsar Alexander II wrote a letter to Queen Victoria saying “If you enter in this war it will be a casus belli for all out war with the Russian Empire”. The stage was set for the 1st World War and Russia stopped it. There is also a memorial in San Francisco for the hundreds of Russian sailors who came off their Asiatic fleet ships that died while helping the city put out a fire that threatened to lay waste to it during the War.

[@The_Cause]

@@JPJ432 Well I be a son of a gun. You unloaded on me. I have Frederick Douglas on my wish list to listen to. Might bump him up after hearing all this. The Civil War is a tough one to wrap your head around because unless you have a very good grasp of the American Revolution and compromises of that time, it is hard to rationalize the roots of the Civil War. It is so deep and no single book stands a chance of explaining it. But I must admit I have not experienced the history from this perspective yet and I need to do that in 2024. Thanks so much for the comment!

[@thegreenstache6163]

This series is seriously inspiring. I feel like we dont see many people with your kind of humble curiosity and appreciation for learning from these historic figures. Glad to be able to follow your journey through these texts!

[@The_Cause]

Well I am happy to have you along! Truly appreciate you watching and thanks for the kind words! Stay blessed!

[@The_Cause]

Hope you enjoy this episode! If you would like to support these episodes please consider purchasing my coffee at www.cedarotacoffee.com

[@kikodupon6914]

I randomly came across your channel one day and I have been loving all of the videos. I hope your channel keeps growing :) Thanks for making these!

[@The_Cause]

Thank you so much for the kind words and motivation! I have been enjoying the process of reading and making these so I will most definitely continue putting these out. Next video is being uploaded tomorrow actually. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@merseabless8305]

Ben Franklin is repeating St. Paul in the New Testament. The propensity to sin even though we try not to and lays out the steps, First book to dive into the original pillar of education, . The Bible with the 73 books. I love your series continue

[@The_Cause]

Truly appreciate the kind motivation. I am enjoying this series immensely and do not plan to stop anytime soon unless death or extreme impairment. haha I can't wait until we cover some of the religious texts later in the volumes so I can dive into those at a deeper level. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@joebeamish]

Agree about the Bible.

[@AlexReyesInHD]

I love your videos! You remind me a lot of this Walter Isaacson quote, about advice he had gotten when he was young: "You know, I had a mentor in New Orleans, sort of a family friend, great novelist, Walker Percy. And he said, there were two types of people who come out of Louisiana, preachers and storytellers. He said, for heaven's sake, be a storyteller. The world has too many preachers." I can see that you're a storyteller (and a great one, at that). Thanks for making these!

[@The_Cause]

haha I have never heard that. I know he is from Louisiana and I think he taught at Tulane for a bit. I truly appreciate the kind words and thanks so much for watching. Have a blessed new year!

[@susandemers6952]

If you have never read Franklin's letter of advice to young Joseph Priestly on how to make a decision on a complicated question, you should treat yourself. He called this technique "Moral or Prudential Algebra". It seems like a solid technique even today!

[@The_Cause]

I have never heard of that. I will definitely be looking it up. I actually enjoy his writing style too. I’m sure it will be a great read. Thanks so much for watching and sharing the info. Stay blessed!

[@tomweiss9600]

Thank you for putting this together. I think Franklin was put first in the series because he defined what it means to be an American. He came from nothing and made a meaningful and fulfilling life through sheer will. As opposed to the general notion that birth determined the worth of a man.

[@The_Cause]

I agree with that. He is the American Spirit in historical form. What an amazing time he lived through and contributions he provided to our cause. Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed weekend!

[@user-ls8ks7kv8c]

One of the best summaries I've ever seen. Not only did you provide a thorough summary of the book, but you took the trouble to mention specific beneficial things for us like lessons from his life, interesting anecdotes from his life, wise quotes, some of the books that influenced Ben Franklin, etc. Thank-you and I very look forward to continuing this series.

[@The_Cause]

Thank you so much for the kind words and it is great to hear that you appreciate this series. That makes creating them all the better. Truly hope you enjoy the rest of the videos and thanks so much for watching. Stay blessed and have a great weekend!

[@user-ls8ks7kv8c]

You too!@@The_Cause

[@stevenburton2410]

I'm glad I found your channel. I, too, feel like my education is really lacking, so I decided to read along the HCs and then watch your videos as I go. I just finished Benjamin Franklin this morning and I really enjoyed it. It was encouraging to see him educating himself during a time when they had far less resources than we do today. For instance, when I decided to follow along reading with you, I looked for a set of the HCs and found that they are very expensive. However, on kindle, you can buy all 71 books in the collection for $1.99. Amazing! I appreciate your insight and look forward to the next book in the series.

[@The_Cause]

Glad to have you following along my friend! I think you will enjoy the journey and it honestly gets better as you go! I purchased this set on Facebook marketplace place for $375. Took me awhile to find a deal and relatively close to me. But ya, the kindle 1.99 is insane! Thanks for watching and stay blessed brother!

[@stevenburton2410]

Man, that is a great price as far as I can tell! I may need to get a Facebook just to look for a set. That is a good idea. I would like to have a hard copy. The Kindle is nice though because I can pull out my phone while at the Dr office or in line at the DMV and read some as I go. I guess there are benefits to both, though. @@The_Cause

[@mikecook_author]

I read Ben Franklin’s autobiography before. Much more to him than Poor Richard’s Almanac, the kite and key, the Declaration of Independence, and Ambassador to France.

[@The_Cause]

Yes indeed. Franklin is one of those people that you list out the accomplishments and activities on a piece of paper and it is hard to wrap your head around how one many could accomplish so much. He was everywhere and his hands where in everything.

[@nickkrupa3818]

Great stuff! I learned that William Franklin, the intended reader of the first part of the autobiography, was Ben's illegitimate son. The identity of William's mother is unknown. William and Ben's relationship fractured over the Revolutionary War. William was a Loyalist. The two men never entirely reconciled after the war.

[@The_Cause]

Isn’t that crazy? I remember when I first read about William I was taken back how they could view the cause so differently. William was very outspoken against it. Also sheds a light on the fact they Franklin didn’t always fully abide by his 13 virtues! Haha Thanks so much for watching buddy and have a blessed week!

[@nickkrupa3818]

Yes, Ben seems to have neglected his twelfth virtue at least once haha. But I appreciate his humility. I know only a few people who have publicly revealed their moral failings as he did. Furthermore, on page six, he attributes all his success to Providence, not his own virtue. "I desire with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used and gave them success." I have met many people who believe that hard work and virtue are sufficient conditions for both financial and social success. I have also met numerous people whose lives refute that belief. The important thing is Providence, which can either bless you with success or give you the strength to endure failure. "My belief of this induces me to hope, though I must not presume, that the same goodness will still be exercised toward me, in continuing that happiness, or enabling me to bear a fatal reverse, which I may experience as others have done." @@The_Cause

[@The_Cause]

I love that foresight and concur. I often give the example to people that if George Washington was born ten years earlier or 10 years later than we would not even know his name. So much of who succeeds in life is based on timing, location, status and resources. Hard work and dedication are just some additional ingredients. Truly love your thoughts on providence and what Franklin meant by it. That comment pushed my belief and take on him more in that direction. Are you reading through the entire Harvard classic series or just Franklin?

[@nickkrupa3818]

I'm reading the series. I'll see you in the next video after I finish Woolman.@@The_Cause

[@The_Cause]

Awesome to hear! This is going to be fun! Anxious to hear your thoughts on Woolman.

[@lowman621]

I appreciate you pointing out some outdated, obscure vocabulary. I learned what a scrivener was some years ago when I read the short story by Herman Melville called, Bartleby, the Scrivener. You should check this out, you will read a bit about the profession in this somewhat ambiguous and at times funny tale as you try to come to grips of it's overall meaning. And you will forever remember the simple yet unforgettable line, "I would prefer not to".

[@The_Cause]

It’s so funny you mention the term Scrivener because I also heard it in Great Expectations, as I mentioned I was reading, and I was like, Yes! I know what that is! Haha On an even better note, I roasted and shipped your coffee out yesterday so you should have it soon! Thanks brother!

[@lowman621]

Thanks for shipping so quickly, I'm looking forward to it. Do you recommend drip or pour over?

[@The_Cause]

I’m a pour over drinker myself. But that coffee is good for most brews.

[@evelynsaungikar3553]

The algorithm recommended this series to me on January 3rd, 2024. I am planning to read through the books, each one after watching your corresponding video, like our own tiny book club! Just downloaded this one from my library!

[@The_Cause]

Nice! That is so cool to hear. Really happy to have you following along and reading! I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Truly hope you have a blessed new year and happy reading!

[@evelynsaungikar3553]

Edit: just finished this one! I really enjoyed it, and have recommended the book series and your channel, to my Mother and my son.

[@arlenestanton9955]

I bought the 5 foot book shelve series many years ago, used. I did read 3 years before the mast, which was excellent,it’s a novel. But after that I only occasionally read a few passages from a few books, nothing I really remember. Finding your videos, I’m going to give it another try!

[@The_Cause]

That is awesome to hear! I truly hope you do embark on this journey and find it enjoyable. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!

[@jean-pierremestanza8186]

Bro... you're a shining light in a sea of crap here on youtube. I'm a cynic, guilty as charged, but I love your earnest and really clear explanation of something you find fascinating. And now I do too. Cheers bro

[@The_Cause]

Well I truly appreciate hearing that! This channel has been a joy to create and I am loving all the feedback and thoughts being shared. I can be pretty cynical at times my self. I think YT may hide that sometimes. Thanks for watching and have a blessed weekend!

[@fabianholmstrom]

Im currently 17 and reading the select works of plotinus (translated by thomas taylor) which is part of my self education. To comprehend how the anchient masters comprehened the universal construct. I think you should read it.

[@The_Cause]

I will definitely mark it down in my notes to check out. Thanks so much for watching and for the recommendation! Stay blessed!

[@tomhato5523]

I know I’m late to the party, but this was a really strong start. I can’t wait to watch the rest of them. And maybe buy your coffee haha

[@The_Cause]

I truly hope you enjoy them and thanks so much for watching!

[@kylev.8248]

Another fun fact about Benjamin Franklin is that he created the first political cartoon in America. Named "Join, or Die," this cartoon was published in his Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754. It depicted a segmented snake, each segment labeled with the initials of one of the American colonies or regions. This cartoon was a call for unity among the colonies during the French and Indian War and later became a symbol of colonial freedom during the American Revolution.

[@The_Cause]

I knew he created the "Join or Die" snake in 13 pieces but I never realized he created it during the French and Indian war. That makes sense as he was making the call even at that time for the states to band together as one to defend the frontier states. Truly appreciate you sharing and spreading the knowledge! If only we had more men like Franklin these days.

[@dylanoshell93]

I'm loving this Rob! Thank you so much. I've started reading the series with you!

[@The_Cause]

That’s awesome!! Welcome along the journey my friend! Hope you enjoy the classics and thanks for watching!

[@georgepursley2832]

Great review and reflection. As an offical old guy, it gives me real hope to see a young dad reading such things and passing them on. Thanks.

[@The_Cause]

Well it really is nice to hear that. Some days I do not feel like a young dad! Haha The kiddos will have you yawning before breakfast some days! Truly appreciate you watching and thanks for there kind words. Stay blessed!

[@tommcgraw2576]

Enjoying the videos; loving the coffee!

[@The_Cause]

Tom!! Glad to hear it my friend! I truly appreciate you ordering and I hope you are enjoying them both together. Thanks for the support and have a blessed weekend!

[@Tfwest9337]

Biographies are such a wonderful way to get an education I think, or portraits of lives. That's why Plutarch's lives is so good. You really made me want to read this book!

[@The_Cause]

Yes indeed!! Biographies started me on the journey when I first read John Adam’s by David McCullough. That lead me to many others and because they all had read all this old history, that eventually led me down this road. Cannot wait to get to the Plutarch’s Lives volumes. Thanks for watching!

[@joebeamish]

How many pages do you read per day? It’s hard for me to get far and remember much.

[@The_Cause]

@@joebeamish I break it all up. When I read I complete the book over a few days and take notes and script out. I then take a few days to shoot the video and edit and get it ready to post. During that period I do not read anything. Then once posted, I start on the next one. Breaks it up enough that I am not getting tired or bored with it all.

[@felixfernandez7075]

Love your context please continue the series I love listening to your analysis and I am excited to read some of the books myself

[@The_Cause]

I will definitely keep them coming. Truly appreciate you watching my friend!

[@sydneysomer9958]

I just discovered your channel very recently! I have a lot of work to do to catch up. Great content!!

[@The_Cause]

Well welcome aboard! Glad to you with us and thanks so much for watching. Stay blessed!

[@sebanrichter1536]

This vid is gold, ok I am hooked.

[@The_Cause]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!

[@scottmorschhauser4421]

I just finished the Benjamin Franklin Autobiography and watched your video summation. I'm taken not just by how much I enjoyed the book, which to be honest I had thought would be a tough/dry read, but also by your abilities at summation. Seriously well done young man! I'm months behind your reading but love a good challenge. I also purchased the accompanying "Harvard Classics - Shelf of Fiction" 20 volume set which should arrive soon. My goal is to complete one volume of each set every month along with at least one other book of my choosing. Thank you again for your inspiration to tackle this set of books!

[@The_Cause]

Well I truly appreciate hearing that! It has been a joy to make these. Truly appreciate you watching and have a blessed new year!

[@barryferguson5480]

Yes sir, thank you for your review of the 1st volume, the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Insofar as his working on silence as a virtue, you are undoubtedly right. Given the fame that he enjoyed in England and in France he was always being asked to intone his take on current events. However, one story I seem to recall about Franklin was that either during the debate over the Declaration of Independence, of the drafting of our Constitution, Franklin told those arguing that he had quietly listened to their bickering and noted that they had not prayed to ask for Divine assistance, which they then did. Whereas he probably was never able to still his tongue, perhaps by working at it, he became a more patient listener, especially since he was almost double in age as compared to all the other founding document protagonists. Just a thought....

[@The_Cause]

That moment in history you are referring to was a powerful one. I think as you mentioned, his life long requirement of giving his opinion and being knowledgeable in so many things to include other countries governments, Franklin was the best to wrap up the constitutional convention. We have debated, argued, persuaded, and negotiated enough. Give it to God and lets hope for the best. A Republic if we can keep it. Great points!

[@MartinPuskin]

Thanks for a fascinating and inspirational video!

[@The_Cause]

No problem my friend! Truly happy you enjoyed it and thanks so much for watching. This has been an enjoyable series to create and it is nice to see that people are getting some value from them. Stay blessed and have a great week!

[@michaelkeaton32]

I found all of these for download online. Going to spend some time going through them; very thankful for your content. This is completely up my alley.

[@The_Cause]

No problem at all! Glad to have you on board. I found most of these books on Audible and most are free because they are so old. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@tomluker1743]

What a great series you're doing here. At the moment I don't have the time to read these books myself (I know that's what everyone says) but I really do appreciate you sharing insights from these books and I can't wait to hear you're thoughts on others in the series!

[@The_Cause]

Well that is what I am creating them for. I am hoping this series can allow people to still learn from them and if they want to give deeper into specific ones they can do so. Thanks so much for watching my friend and have a blessed new year!

[@tjsurname119]

I Loved this. It was fascinating. Your manner is perfect for sharing this vital knowledge, don't change a thing ! GOD Bless you for this very great presentation. Thank you dear Mr. Pirie.

[@The_Cause]

Thank you my friend!

[@jonathangodsey4435]

I’m buying the whole digital set for 2$ on Amazon. You’ve got me inspired! I want to come along.

[@The_Cause]

That so awesome! It hard to believe for 2 dollars now days you can have a significant portion of our western canon. Pretty amazing. Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy the journey. Stay blessed!

[@bernardwjr]

Hello, Rob. I came upon your first video of the series and, being a bookworm myself, considered your goal very interesting. I just watched this first analisys and I am in awe. You made me very jealous! 😁 How I wish I could do such a thouthful and thorough review. I don't think I can praise you enough! I can't wait to see the others. Thanks a lot for your effort!

[@The_Cause]

Wow! Thanks so much for the feedback and nice comment. I am honestly enjoying the process of reading and making the videos to this series. It’s nice to hear that people appreciate them. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@w1zzk1dd]

#19:00 yup and if there's one life lesson which all historians should know, is that by reading history we learn that all times were as crazy as now, all were as interesting as now, so we shouldn't blame our failure in the time we lived at because great people emerge from whatever crazy time they live in, so we should educate ourselves in our time so we wouldn't be useless. p.s i would comment basically on every minute of your video (youtube algorithm) 😂😂, just that i watch majority of it while driving 😮‍💨

[@The_Cause]

Haha well don’t get in a wreck commenting! I would feel horrible! Haha

[@cjcidaho]

So glad I found your channel. Thank you.

[@The_Cause]

Well, welcome aboard! I’m glad you are here! Truly hope you enjoy it and thanks for watching! Stay blessed!

[@ekin7789]

Hey again. It's been a while now after I've commented at first video. It've been quite busy since but here I go, started today. Looking back after this video, I have got to admit that the classics are way above my expectations lol. Will definetly think about that whole 13 aspect life perfecting calendar and try to implament that into my own life. And Walter Isaacson's book is now on my reading list :)

[@The_Cause]

Haha yes indeed! That is a good book for sure. Once you finish let me know. I would love to hear what you thought of it. Thanks for watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@boymeetswort4375]

Just discovered your channel. Love this project and all the reasons that you are undertaking it both ex and in-trinsically. This is one of my favorite books when thinking about the formulation of the "American" psyche. This portrait of himself is at the forefront of what I still think is great about being an American, and set against the context of his actual life I think it adds even more depth and nuance to this great and complicated man. Highly recommend the Isaacson bio as a supplement to this one. (Its really great on Audible event hough I know you are avoiding that for this run throught he classics) Cheers from a new sub. Excited to follow along.

[@The_Cause]

Truly appreciate the kind words and completely agree with your sentiments on Franklin. He has gotten a bad wrap over the past few years but you can deny all the amazing works he accomplished. I have read Waltler's biography on him and truly enjoyed it. I listen to a lot of book on Audible but for the Harvard Classics I am reading them physically but also started to listen to the ones I can find after reading the physical book to help with pronunciation fo names and places and also to give me a second chance to read it a different way. Truly appreciate you watching and have a blessed new year!

[@klosnj11]

Hey, friend! This was one of the writings I found in paperback, BEING CLEARANCED NEW at a booj store near me a few years ago when I started really diving into historical writing. I only read the first few chapters, but I love Franklins style. I plan to read through it in full with my high school aged son later this year. Thank you for this series. You have a subscriber.

[@The_Cause]

I think it is perfect reading for a high school age kid. Franklin can be really inspiring to the youth. Truly appreciate you watching and have a blessed weekend!

[@MikeDubya]

Fantastic 👏 great content, love this.

[@The_Cause]

Glad you enjoy it! Stay blessed my friend!

[@hotfunnycoolgirl1000]

Great video, super accessible content

[@The_Cause]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! It is awesome to hear that people are getting something from these videos. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!

[@LMotola]

Super impressed with you and your ambition to learn. Keep up this amazing work and I look forward to following your videos - a fellow autodidact

[@The_Cause]

Thanks so much! Kind comments like this make it all worth the while and will definitely keep making them. Truly appreciate having you aboard and stay blessed!

[@kodesart1251]

13:45 benjamin's thoughts on how our youth is the time where we learn how to live, what to live by, and how to shape our lives reminds me of how in ancient greece, grown men would take teenage boys under their wing to teach them how to be a good citizen. This type of relationship is called paiderastia, and don't get it confused with pedophilia (though one might see a little resemblance in our modern eyes). It was important for the greeks that the young men got taught the vices and virtues of their time, especially as the ideal morality was that of a soldier (which included a lot of resistance and self control to everything from weather conditions to sexual desire). It was just an interesting thought about how this type of thinking about youth and education goes millennia back. :)

[@The_Cause]

That is a great observation. I didn’t think of that. I have always admired the appreciate type aspect of learning. You can read books, go to college, and listen to lectures but until you get paired up with the old wise man with 30-40 years experience, that is when you start to truly grow and understand. Truly appreciate the insight and thanks so much for watching!

[@jakealden2517]

Thanks. Franklin's autobiography is one of my favorites. His life was told to young people for many years, but sadly young people do not even know his name.

[@The_Cause]

Sadly they don’t. The numerous accomplishment of Franklin is almost hard to take all in when reading about him the first time. He is one of those people where all the dominos aligned. His intellect was there, is luck was fortunate and the times he lived were set up perfectly for all his gifts. And with they ha made the most of it. Thanks so much for watching my friend!

[@w1zzk1dd]

#16:50 very interesting life moral there by turning enemies into friends, I find everything about his life interesting but if there's one thing I want to remember, is that quote

[@The_Cause]

It is a good one for sure! Truly appreciate you watching my friend!

[@claremc9866]

Thank you for doing this series! I’m reading along with you, although I will be very slow. I enjoyed Franklin’s autobiography very much, and your insightful review. I’m a bit more apprehensive about some of the harder volumes coming up! One of the things that stood out to me was Franklin’s advice about being careful with your opinions, not to be too forceful, dogmatic or wedded to them. The easier to persuade people to your cause, and also to backtrack if you turn out to be wrong!

[@The_Cause]

I am glad to have you along. I will admit I was intimidated as well but I must say after reading and thinking on the issues over the past three volumes. Nothing has been too hard to understand. I can tell there are some deeper meanings that I can’t quite pull out yet but that will come in due time. Franklins insight was very helpful in understanding that. And the more I read through these volumes the more I understand why Franklin was first in the series. Truly appreciate you watching and stay blessed!

[@FirstOfTheMagi]

Haven't read his autobiography but I did read Walter Isaacson's biography on Franklin and it's an eye opening life that he lived. I also cannot recommend the biography of Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson enough.

[@The_Cause]

Both are very good! Walter Isaacson is good author. Franklin is very witty in his writing and it is an older style so it will not flow like Walter's and Walter portrays a pretty fair view of Franklin in my opinion. Thanks so much for watching!

[@FirstOfTheMagi]

@@The_Cause Yes, got around to finishing the video and see you recommended Isaacson's book yourself..awkward haha. Great videos

[@cobysking]

Excellent! Looking forward to volume 2

[@The_Cause]

Hey buddy!! Finished Volume one and those are in the que. working on Volume 2 now and man it is packed with some good ones. Stoked to dive into them. Have you read this series?

[@cobysking]

@@The_Cause I have not read any of them. I didn’t know that this series existed until now. But I’m excited for it!

[@The_Cause]

Sadly I just learned about this series of books recently as well. Never too late to start though so these videos should be eye-opening to make. Truly appreciate you tuning in brother!@@cobysking

[@user-hw8hj7fu9j]

I think all I really knew about Benjamin Franklin's life was that he was known to stop by France a lot because he was into French prostitutes. Also, I really love that you added words that you found interesting, I have a collection of thesauruses because of my love of English

[@The_Cause]

I mean between the French prostitutes and securing the alliance between the colonies and France he was a busy man! Haha thanks so much for watching my friend stay blessed!

[@davewhite756]

I think it's easy to think Ben would have struggled with silence because we are reading an autobiography which is him talking to us and his revolutionary war activities was basic him doing meet and greets with an adoring French public. We have to remember he was able to do things like planning with another to open his press while working for and with Keimer. I resolve to not share my business plans at family gatherings and end up bringing them up almost immediately.

[@The_Cause]

That is a very good observation. We often judge Franklin by the last half of his life and do not take into account the first half. I would agree. To teach himself as he did and to concentrate on all the experiments and work he completed, he had to have been able to stay focused, be quiet, and silently get things done. But one in a room with drinks and guest, I think silence would have been hard for him to bear. Truly appreciate this comment!

[@davewhite756]

@@The_Cause yes as long as the drinks were free for the "water american"

[@The_Cause]

Haha I love that. Nice that you remembered that. Kept him sharp and focused in his younger years so he could enjoy the older ones.

[@joannemarkov]

Most people have a public and a private face. Franklin's moral self-improvement project (particularly chastity) take on a somewhat different tone when compared to the details known from his letters about his (ahem) private life. This is not to discredit his project, only to mention that perhaps it was more aspirational vs. inspirational.

[@The_Cause]

Franklin's promiscuous ways when he was older is actractive to discuss now days because of how taboo it appears. We have this idea about him that we were taught in school that once the veil is lifted we find it attractive to discuss. These virtues were started when Franklin was young before he ever even planned to document them in an autobioghraphy. I think his best line on his project is this. “On the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection, I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet as I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been, had I not attempted it.” It was not the fact that he even came close to being virtuous, but by trying even just a little bit, he was better off for it. But in his older years with fame, money, and good humor, his debauched lifestyle found great companionship in the promiscuous ladies of france. I judge by this point in his life, the 13 virtues that allowed him to become succesfful were traded in for a more epicurean lifestyle. Thanks so much for wathicn and truly appreciate the dialogue!

[@victorslach2384]

thank you

[@The_Cause]

No problem at all. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed!

[@EyeLean5280]

Thank you, I'll be directing my literature students to your channel!

[@The_Cause]

Awesome! Thanks so much! I am truly loving this series and looking forward to releasing the next one soon! What grade do you teach?

[@EyeLean5280]

@@The_Cause, I teach teenagers at a self-directed learning center. We help kids leave traditional school and create their own education paths.

[@The_Cause]

That’s awesome. I would love to start a classical school one day. Trying to take the next year and learn as much about the process as possible. Pointing young people in a good direction is important more than ever now days.

[@JakeVeliz]

I’m guessing Franklin made the correction to Whitefield, due to his deism (the belief that God made the world and is not involved. Great video and looking forward to this series!

[@kylev.8248]

Thanks!

[@The_Cause]

You are most graciously welcome and thank you in return for the kindness! I truly appreciate you watching and supporting the series! Stay blessed!

[@jondrive8801]

Thank you

[@The_Cause]

No problem at all. It has been a joy to make these and it is nice to hear that people enjoy them. Thanks for tuning in!

[@DrAlexVasquezICHNFM]

Good work

[@The_Cause]

Thank you so much! Truly appreciate you watching!

[@ericb2409]

Great review! You inspired me to put this on my list to read. On another note, in your previous video you mentioned that you read a lot of history. What are your areas of interest in history?

[@The_Cause]

The American Revolution period is by far my favorite time period to read about. I have read a biography on pretty much every major American during that era from Light Horse Harry Lee to John Marshall. I think over the next few years I want to dedicate some time to the British side such as Cornwallis, Clinton and King George. I also like the Roman Period and enjoy the Civil War. It’s hard to understand the American Civil War without really understanding the compromises and agreements made during the revolution. Would love to dive off into these topics later on down the road. Thanks so much for watching and I would highly recommend Walter Isaacson biography on Franklin. Stay blessed my friend!

[@w1zzk1dd]

#20:26 may God bless your coffee business bro

[@The_Cause]

Truly appreciate that my friend!

[@thepostgradyear]

always picking up Latin lol thanks for saying what the 13 virtues were and then 5 words you found interesting mentioning a bunch of other stuff too in short lists early universal education sure was interesting in PA - personally the most interesting is that of the Moravians but this is a good reminder for me to rediscover some Philly history - although I have to say I was the most shocked when I read about modern Amish education he corrected the preacher? yeah that guy probably struggled with silence haha

[@The_Cause]

I think I may start adding back the vocabulary. I kind of enjoyed that as well. I got away from doing it in the later videos. Have a good weekend brother!

[@thepostgradyear]

You'll have quite the collection if you average 5 words per book haha@@The_Cause

[@UIMLvl3]

Where did you purchase the entire Harvard Classics Set? Is it possible to purchase one book at a time until you have the completed collection?

[@The_Cause]

You can find them on Ebay or FB Marketplace and you can often times buy them individually. I see people selling single volumes all the time.

[@UIMLvl3]

Thank you!@@The_Cause

[@davidscottwills]

Will these be added to Spotify? These would be great listening on a long run and I have better luck with Spotify than I do with KZbin for playing in the background with my phone in a pocket.

[@The_Cause]

I have been thinking about it. Was going to judge the demand first. I opened a second podcast feed separate from my coffee podcast. I can start uploading these episodes there too. I didn’t know how well these would come across in podcast form but I can see where that might work. So, ya. I can do that. I will start it next week when I release John Woolman’s. I have a few in the que already because baby is due any day now. Haha

[@jondrive8801]

I've been listening to them whilst running. Works great :)

[@The_Cause]

That’s awesome to hear! Glad David shared that idea! Thank you guys for tuning in!

[@dylanmax7375]

Hey - where did you get your particular edition?

[@The_Cause]

I bought this set off of FaceBook marketplace. Paid $375. If you look long enough you can find a good deal at n this set. eBay has them as well.

[@w1zzk1dd]

#18:40 exactly my point also (irl), instead of all the tax goings for wars and to support genocide nations, the usa government should bring back governmental bonds where those who are pro-war, let them support the war by buying bonds instead of taking it out from everyone's taxes

[@The_Cause]

That’s is a very valid point. I like the idea of taxes being supported by those who want to support them. What is important would change quickly then.

[@w1zzk1dd]

@mrsjeffries7714 yeah tax do help communities to flourish if it is used wisely and not being stolen or use for war although I get that war is important for any country especially a first class superpower but majority of times there're just egocentric wars

[@w1zzk1dd]

@mrsjeffries7714 thats a good question actually, how can we change these things. my motto would be -seeking knowledge first then change ourselves and the world would change that statement can be explained in a book, but basically it is saying that our actions has a reactions, like the taxi driver or the merchant cannot complain that his government is stealing the money when he's robbing his customers

[@tommylee7788]

7:56

[@kylev.8248]

Thank you man 😅 I was folding laundry, while listening to this, and I didn’t even look at the screen.

[@ruskiny280]

Did Franklin hate Quakers and approve of slavery ?

[@The_Cause]

Franklin was born a quaker but after reading a good deal it appears he drifted towards aeithism a bit. Just like Francis Bacon would say, “It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.” Franklin definitely went through this cycle in his younger years of learning. But I do not believe he ever hated anything. His personality seemed to be a live and let live type of one. In regards to slavery I do no think he was opposed to it in his early life as he would be in his later years. We can tell this from his unit-slavery petitions he would submit to congress and other actions taken in his later years. He was know John Woolman when it came to religion and he was no John Laurens when it came to slavery. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@stanbrown32]

Franklin was born in Massachusetts into a Congregational (Puritan) family. In Pennsylvania, he says in his Autobiography that he supported the local Presbyterian church financially, although he didn't like much of the preaching. But he thought churches could encourage people to be better citizens, so he supported churches. He did not hate Quakers. He owned 2 or 3 slaves in his lifetime, but was a founder of an anti-slavery society and I think emancipated his slaves (need to double check that).

[@alexluthiger731]

My humble recommendation to all scholars of the Spirit is to read mainly thinkers who have reverence for the Maker of all, the heavenly father of the Christ Jesus, except those walking in Spirit before the Christ. 🍷🧑‍🔧

[@The_Cause]

Yes indeed brother!

[@dominicpardo4783]

If l made a video every time I read a book......

[@The_Cause]

It definitely helps with retention. Highly suggest it. Stay blessed my friend and truly appreciate you watching!

[@dominicpardo4783]

@The_Cause l would have made 5000 videos, lol.... I finished this series before l left for college. Then, I moved on to The Story of Civilization by Will Durant. Prior to the advent of the internet, that's what people did. I'm still averaging around 2-3 books per week, depending on how large the volumes are.

[@The_Cause]

Will Durant is way up on my list although it will probably be awhile before I get to it. My issue now is just time to read. Wish I had more dedicated time to devote to reading in general.

[@dominicpardo4783]

@The_Cause I grew up the youngest of 13, so the house was full of books. A journalist mother and engineer father always stressed reading. I found myself slipping away a bit and grafting to social media platforms. Not nearly as fulfilling or tactile. So no more Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Reading is far more rewarding.

[@DiscipulusMundi]

I like what you're saying, but I don't like your Toonces hat GO SOONERS

[@The_Cause]

Haha yes indeed! I don’t follow along as much as I did in the past. Thanks for watching and I guess Sooner fans are acceptable as well. Lol

[@__-rj9pj]

I'm sorry, but Ben Franklin is an intelligent guy and all, but he is not a virtuous character necessarily. I will stick to the real classic on this one: The New Testament

[@The_Cause]

I think he would advise you to do just that. He was not perfect by any means and he was aware of his errors and in my opinion was very transparent about them. You will like Woolman next. He is a Christian that strived to live as closely to the teachings of the gospel as anyone I have ever read about. Thanks for watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@ednorton47]

Benjamin Franklin was hardly virtuous.

[@The_Cause]

I guess it depends on what your definition of “virtuous” is and who you compare him to. If you make a list between the good and bad things he did, the list of virtuous acts would far exceed the negative modern reputation we have attached to Franklin. But I agree, he definitely was not perfect. He was no Socrates and definitely not Jesus. Thanks so much for watching and stay blessed my friend!

[@patriciagigileva]

@ednorton47 I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[@ednorton47]

@@patriciagigileva You can read about his carrying on with the society women in Paris, whilst he was there.

[@patriciagigileva]

@ednorton47 thank you! I'll definitely check it out!

[@The_Cause]

He had a way with the ladies. It appears he enjoyed his time in Paris. Lol