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People and Attributes Admired
Probably the most famous of these comes from
his approach to someone bearing a grudge. A
fellow Philadelphian had opposed Franklin's
appointment as clerk of the Pennsylvania
legislature, was outvoted, and then took
offense.
Franklin, knowing that his disappointed
adversary owned "a
certain very scarce and
curious book,"
wrote to him asking for the loan
of it. The book was sent swiftly, and the two
men gradually renewed their friendship. The
lesson: Instead of trying to heal a personal
falling out with gifts, ask your antagonist to do
you a favor.
Mr. Franklin revealed his approach to
raising money for a worthy cause in a
conversation with the popular revivalist minister
Gilbert Tennent:
In the first place, I advise you to
apply to all those who you know will
give something; next to those whom you
are uncertain whether they give
anything or not, and show them the list
of those who have given; and do not
neglect those who you are sure will give
nothing. In some of them you may be
mistaken.
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