The old saying, “An apple a day will keep the Doctor away,” may pertain to more than just ones body. Just like an apple is healthy for ones body, using ones mind is healthy for the overall well-being of oneself and everyone else around. An individual has the choice on what to “feed” their mind just like they have the decision on what to feed their body. Benjamin Franklin did not fail to utilize his mind wisely during the eighteenth century. Franklin used his mind to contribute and innovate to others and the things around him because for many, an underused mind and an overused knife are the same — dull. Additionally, “Franklin was also known as one of the most prominent abolitionist” (“Benjamin”). However, many thoughts include how society was a dull weapon against Frederick Douglass but how he was able to overcome those challenges with the use of his own "sharp" weapon (his mind) for success. When looking further, it was the societies wish to keep their slaves ignorant or dull. Even though both men came from completely different backgrounds, they both had to combine hard work and self improvement to become the important figures that they are today. …show more content…
Franklin was one of seventeen children in all, born to a maker of candles and soap (“The 485”). Once Franklin become tired of working for his father, he proceeded to go to work for a brother. Even though Franklins iniquitous brother led him to fleeing away at a young age, nothing could compare to that of Douglass’ enslavement. Since Douglass was a stripling of a slave, he was “separated [from his mom] at infancy —before [he] knew her as [his] mother” (Douglass). Both men having lived difficult lives, one more extreme than the other, reached success all while being self-made