Self-made V. God-Made man

Having heard about Benjamin Franklin all of my life as some sort of legendary genius, it was interesting to read that he was, in fact, quite human. He had an excess of vanity and knew only too well his own strengths in writing and discourse. In this regard, Franklin differed from his Puritanical predecessors. Vanity was, of course, regarded as a vice to be avoided at the cost of your soul by the Puritans. The Puritans believed that you should speak as little as possible about yourself; guaranteeing that you would not suffer from overweening pride. Franklin does not look at vanity in the normal sense; as something you keep a check on. He saw it as a trait necessary to one's sense of self.

Franklin is overall more forward-thinking then the Puritan writers. Even down to his word choices he is more like a 20^th Century author then an 18^th century one. Franklin also looked to better himself by reading, writing, and putting himself forward in society. He was discontented with his life as an apprentice. The Puritans believed in accepting their lot and making the most of it. They did not try and change their circumstances, as they believed that they were in them for a reason. The concept of the "self-made man" was not a feasible one in the Puritan community, rather a "god-made man" was the norm.