the world that a wrong act should be the true method of attaining a
right end? It is impious to think so. And I do verily believe,
Benjamin, that almost all the public and private misery of mankind
arises from a neglect of this great truth,--that evil can produce only
evil,--that good ends must be wrought out by good means."

"I will never forget it again," said Benjamin, bowing his head.

"Remember," concluded his father, "that, whenever we vary from the
highest rule of right, just so far we do an injury to the world. It may
seem otherwise for the moment; but, both in time and in eternity, it
will he found so."

To the close of his life Ben Franklin never forgot this conversation
with his father; and we have reason to suppose that, in most of his
public and private career, he endeavored to act upon the principles
which that good and wise man had then taught him.

After the great event of building the wharf, Ben continued to cut wick-
yarn and fill candle-moulds for about two years. But, as he had no love
for that occupation, his father often took him to see various artisans
at their work, in order to discover what trade he would prefer. Thus
Ben learned the use of a great many tools, the knowledge of which
afterwards proved very useful to him. But he seemed much inclined to go
to sea. In order to keep him at home, and likewise to gratify his taste
for letters, the lad was bound apprentice to his elder brother, who had
lately set up a printing-office in Boston.

Here he had many opportunities of reading new books and of hearing
instructive conversation. He exercised himself so successfully in