"This gentleman, a stranger to me, stopped one day at my door, and asked me if I was the young man who had lately opened a new printing-house. Being answered in the affirmative, he said he was sorry for me, because it was an expensive undertaking, and the expense would be lost; for Philadelphia was a sinking place.... And at last I had the pleasure of seeing him give five times as much for one as he might have bought it for when he first began his croaking."
This clash of opinion also demonstrates the differences between the thinking and mindsets of two generation of Americans. While the older generation was skeptical and cautious, younger generation was full of optimism, courage and believed in possibilities. This indicates that business environment was changing in the United States and with industrialization gaining hold; new businesses had a better chance of succeeding than they did before. It was primarily this reason that had altered the mindset of the younger generation.
The key to success may not be one and the same for everyone but it appears that hard work and believing in one's decision play critical role in shaping the lives and careers of successful people. Benjamin Franklin knew he loved printing and that this was the business to be in. he also had the inclination to start this business in Philadelphia so while some people tried to discourage him, he stuck with his beliefs and worked tirelessly to make himself a success in this business. As we later see that not only he became an immensely successful printer and publisher, he also turned into a competent politician. This wouldn't...
Another important thing to remember is that you may gain success and still be rude and arrogant but a man who is remembered for ages is someone who remained humble when he was going up. This is an important lesson that Franklin mentions in his book and actually says a great deal about why it is important to be successful but never arrogant: "My list of virtues contain'd at first but twelve; but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought proud; that my pride show'd itself frequently in conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing, and rather insolent, of which he convinc'd me by mentioning several instances...I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of my own. I even forbid myself, agreeably to the old laws of our 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." This passage shows that Franklin was indeed a great man and one whose greatness went beyond his material success.
REFERENCE:
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccer-new2?id=Fra2Aut.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/parsed&tag=public&part=all[Accessed online September 20, 2005]
