Question

This article, therefore, cost me so much painful attention, and my faults in it vexed me so much, and I made so little progress in amendment, and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up the attempt, and content myself with a faulty character in that respect, like the man who, in buying an ax of a smith, my neighbor, desired to have the whole of its surface as bright as the edge. The smith consented to grind it bright for him if he would turn the wheel; he turned, while the smith pressed the broad face of the ax hard and heavily on the stone, which made the turning of it very fatiguing. The man came every now and then from the wheel to see how the work went on, and at length would take his ax as it was, without farther grinding. “No,” said the smith, “turn on, turn on; we shall have it bright by and by; as yet, it is only speckled.” “Yes,” says the man, “but I think I like a speckled ax best.” What is the main idea Franklin is trying to convey by telling the story of the smith?

Answer 1

Benjamin Franklin's story of the smith symbolizes the importance of perseverance in character improvement, as the man in the story ceases his effort to perfect the ax and settles for a 'speckled' one, reflecting a compromise of ideals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main idea Franklin is trying to convey through the story of the smith is a lesson about perseverance and commitment to self-improvement. Franklin uses the anecdote to illustrate that working diligently towards polishing one's character, much like the painstaking process of grinding an ax, is arduous but necessary for achieving one's desired level of accomplishment. The speckled ax represents a compromise of these ideals, as the man settles for an imperfect ax rather than continuing the challenging work needed to make it fully bright. The anecdote suggests that Franklin believes in the importance of continuous effort, despite difficulties and temptations to settle for mediocrity.

Answer 2

These are the choices I found on the internet:
A. Many people want to be perfect but others stand in their way.
B. Virtues are easy to develop if one simply works hard enough.
C. Most people will not ever attain perfection.
D. Virtue is gained in the same way that bad habits are formed.

It would be letter C - Most people will not ever attain perfection. We will never be perfect people despite the fact that we tried. That does not mean we should not keep trying. The answer is supported by the following dialogue. The man being contented with a speckled ax instead of a bright edge.

“No,” said the smith, “turn on, turn on; we shall have it bright by and by; as yet, it is only speckled.” “Yes,” says the man, “but I think I like a speckled ax best.”