One of the Ideal qualities Ben Franklin discusses in his autobiography, that he attempts to perfect, is the virtue of Industry. As stated in his Autobiography, Franklin claims Industry to be the act of “[Losing] no time; [always being] employ’d in something useful; [cutting] off all unnecessary actions.” To me, the virtue of industry today means having a focus driven life with  a goal and a purpose that one works diligently towards on a daily basis. One of the ways Ben Franklin discusses his practice of Industry would be when he first realizes Industry as a virtue at all. For example, he writes “My father having, among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently repeated a proverb of Solomon, ‘Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men,’ I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction” (Franklin, Autobiography, Chapter 8). Another example of Industry in Franklin’s writing would be from his “Way to Wealth” writing where he states, ” Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy.” Here, he discusses how with an industry lifestyle, nothing is too difficult to obtain. 

I think one of the ways Franklin persuades his audience to view Industry as a quality necessary for success is by using his own personal anecdote about his father. With this, he kind of lets the reader know that even though he is placed on such a high pedestal, he is still human; and that some of the virtues he carried as a successful adult, were instilled into him has a child. I also think that by using the figure of Poor Richard in Franklin’s “Way to Wealth” piece, his persona seems more relatable to readers allowing for the message to come off more genuine.