The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin reveals Benjamin Franklin's famous idea of the American Dream. He believed that in order to rise from rags to riches, one had to have motivation, determination, and follow his thirteen moral virtues: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. He proved that some of the poorest people, through industry, could make something of themselves.
In my opinion, the best understanding of the American dream is that if a person is willing to put forth a huge enough effort to succeed, he or she will then succeed. But I do believe that one needs a certain amount of luck to become rich and successful as did Benjamin Franklin. He obviously knew the right people that helped him achieve his dream. .
I do think that the achievement of the American Dream as represented by Ben Franklin is a possibility for some Americans today. In fact, the American Dream is probably easier to achieve today by more people than it would have been in Ben Franklin's time. Not only white males, but women and minorities now also have the chance to achieve the American Dream. The opportunity to get a good education is now easier to obtain because of all the financial aid offered to students. .
The ideal of the American Dream is definitely worth striving for. Everyone wants to be successful and wealthy. One just has to obtain a certain amount of common sense in order to attempt. A person cannot be lazy and easy to give up. Benjamin Franklin never gave up. He always worked at his success. He definitely deserved every bit of success that he received. .
I believe that self-discipline was the single most important quality that Benjamin Franklin had that helped him out the most with his success. If Franklin would not have worked so hard through his career, he possibly would not have achieved so much.