One thing I find interesting about old Ben is the role pride played in his life. Ben makes no secret of his own vanity, and he seems to believe that it has shaped his life for the better. He writes, "It would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his vanity among the other comforts of life," (2). Considering all the wonderful things Ben achieved during his lifetime and the popular impression of him as a wise, almost Socratic, figure, it's strange to picture him flaunting his own accomplishments. I don't find myself agreeing with Ben's stance on vanity though. Vanity can lead to a dangerous notion that is sadly too common in this country. Some people come to regard their gifts and talents as only their own and choose to disregard the circumstances and the people that made those gifts possible. I don't think Ben's vanity ever took him this far, but this sort of extreme individualism is more accepted today than it was in his time.
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