# Endnotes explained — The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

> Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin.

## What happens

This chapter contains the endnotes for the Autobiography, providing editorial commentary, historical context, and clarifications on various passages. It includes notes on Franklin's marriage, the structure of the Autobiography, his moral perfection plan, and other details such as the founding of the Junto, the publication of Poor Richard's Almanac, and his electrical experiments.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Improvement and Moral Perfection

The endnotes discuss Franklin's plan for moral perfection, including a critique that it lacks a deeper impelling motive, as noted by Woodrow Wilson.

### Practical Wisdom and Common Sense

Franklin's practical advice on the study of dead languages is cited, with a reference to Gibbon's agreement.

### Education and Self-Learning

A note references Franklin's views on reserving the study of dead languages until the mind has reached a certain maturity.

## Character check-ins

### Deborah Franklin

Mentioned in a note about her marriage to Franklin, including a stanza from a song Franklin wrote for the Junto.

### Benjamin Franklin

The subject of the endnotes, with references to his moral perfection plan, his lack of business order in France, and his views on church attendance.

### Abel James

Noted as having written a letter urging Franklin to continue his Autobiography.

### George Whitefield

Mentioned in a note about his celebrated preaching.

### James Foster

Referenced in a note about his preaching, with a quote from Pope.

### Richard Saunders

Noted as a well-known almanac publisher from whom Franklin took his title for Poor Richard's Almanac.

## Key lines

> Mrs. Franklin survived her marriage over forty years. Franklin’s correspondence abounds with evidence that their union was a happy one. “We are grown old together, and if she has any faults, I am so used to them that I don’t perceive them.”

Deborah Franklin outlived their marriage by more than forty years, and Franklin's letters show their relationship was joyful. He wrote that they had aged together and he no longer noticed any faults she might have.

_This note highlights the happiness of Franklin's marriage to Deborah._

> While there can be no question that Franklin’s moral improvement and happiness were due to the practice of these virtues, yet most people will agree that we shall have to go back of his plan for the impelling motive to a virtuous life. Franklin’s own suggestion that the scheme smacks of “foppery in morals” seems justified.

Although Franklin's moral growth and happiness clearly resulted from practicing these virtues, many believe his plan lacks a deeper motivation. Franklin himself admitted it might seem like moral foppery.

_This note critiques Franklin's moral perfection plan, suggesting it is superficial._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/franklin_autobiography_se/chapters