The Words of Great Men

Douglass 's expectations of the big city advantages were changed as soon as he got acquainted with Mary , whose neck was literally cut to pieces . The city showed its teeth to both newcomers but Franklin was able to hide his initial disappointment and hope for easy achievements behind the benefits of his social class , while Douglass could not conceal the pain of watching the slaves , whom he thought to be fat , saturated , well-dressed and almost free . By entering London , Franklin had to recognize the difficulties he would face before becoming a good

entrepreneur . In Baltimore , Douglass came to understanding that a slave remained a slave regardless the place of residence a way to freedom would not be easier than it could be beyond Baltimore

One cannot consider personal development and individual strivings of Frederick Douglass and Benjamin Franklin without evaluating their moral criteria , spiritual beliefs , and the sources of their moral and social knowledge . For both , books have become the major sources of their beliefs in future , visions of life , and social attitudes . Benjamin Franklin separated himself from Biblical teachings and Revelation coming closer to philosophy of Deism

Some books against Deism fell into my hands they were said to be the substance of sermons which had been preached at Boyle 's Lectures . It happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them . For the arguments of Deists , which were quoted to be refuted , appeared to be much stronger than the refutations in short , I soon became a thorough Deist (Franklin Dole 2003 , 80

As London opened Franklin 's eyes onto his employment realities , the books he read opened his eyes on morality , religion , and ultimately determined his attitudes towards all moral and ethical categories . Books changed the social vision of Franklin he...