Benjamin dealt with his pride on many occasions, and even called pride the "true evil sin." Benjamin, once conceived of being morally perfect, and believed a person could achieve moral perfection. Benjamin's downfall was found to be his pride. On page 585 he states, "For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility." Franklin is almost ironic in how he says that, for if he were to become morally perfect he would be proud of himself.

Edwards dealt with his pride even though he was a very humble man. Edwards even felt pride when praying, like when he was praying in the swamp as a child he felt self-righteous. On page 451 Edwards says, "to think how ignorant I was, when I was a young Christian, of the bottomless, infinite depths of wickedness, pride, hypocrisy, and deceit left in my h

Edwards and Franklin possessed common views regarding their pride and desire to improve themselves. However they differed in their views of perfection and their reaching of understanding about it. Franklin and Edwards took different views on going about achieving self improvement, but Franklin and Edwards still had much in common dealing with their pride and learning that it may be the "true evil sin" that is unconquerable.

The Norton Anthology American Literature Fifth Edition Volume 1

Edwards knew no individual could make themselves morally perfect and wasn't afraid to use his mind's arguments to explain worldly things. Edwards however might have taken this a bit far when he started convicting his congregation from the pulpit. On page 441 the introductory author depicts the extent of perfection Edwards puts onto his congregation, "When he named backsliders from his pulpit- including the children and parents of the best families in town- and tried to return to the old order of communion."

eart." Edwards is talking about himself as a young man and how sinful he was. Edwards then goes on to discuses how far he has grown spiritually and then states "And yet I am greatly afflicted with a proud a

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