“An ambassador to France, [Benjamin Franklin] was the most sought-after man in Paris. But was Franklin always this popular? Hardly. In his autobiography he describes himself as a blundering young man—uncouth and unattractive. In Philadelphia one day an old Quaker friend took young Franklin aside and lashed him with these words: “Ben, you are impossible. Your opinions have a slap in them for everyone who differs with you. Your friends find they enjoy themselves better when you are not around.” One of the finest things we know about Franklin is the way he accepted that smarting rebuke. He was wise enough to realize that he was headed for failure and social disaster, and by applying himself to the laws of friendship, he turned himself completely around.”