Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography
When describing the nature of pre-1920 self-help books, Covey focuses on their intent to grow a person's character rather than his external abilities. He says that Benjamin Franklin's autobiography is the perfect representation of this type of literature: it's the story of a man trying to instill these values deep within his character. This autobiography thus becomes a symbol for the "character ethic."
The Drawing of the Two Women
Covey includes a representation of a picture in the introduction. This picture is a sketch of a woman, although it can be seen in two very different, distinct ways, both of them correct: as a young woman in profile, or as an old woman from the front. This sketch illustrates Covey's theme of a Paradigm Shift: when you realize the other way to view it, you have a moment of realization as you switch perspectives. This drawing is a symbol of the possibility of multiple perspectives, or paradigms, concerning almost all situations.
The Lighthouse
Covey relates the story of a captain who grows furious at an oncoming vessel for not moving out of his way until he realizes that the other vessel is a lighthouse. Covey uses this lighthouse as a symbol for principles: they are objective, immovable facts of life, unlike the subjectivity of perception. As Covey writes, "The degree to which our mental maps accurately describe the territory does not alter its existence." (The Principle-Centered Paradigm)
The Declaration of Independence
Covey cites the Declaration of Independence as proof for man's innate natural grasp of the concept of human dignity. In declaring the truth of man's rights and equality to be self-evident, the framers of the Declaration have asserted the concept to be universal. The Declaration of Independence therefore represents the universal understandings of morality recognized in common by the whole of mankind, an essential truth when understanding Covey's definition of principals.
Apollo 11
In describing the powerful effects of habits, Covey uses the example of the Apollo 11 spacecraft mission. In order to make it to space, the spacecraft had to break free from the Earth's gravity - no small feat. Habits, like gravity, have a strong force from which it is difficult to break free, so bad habits are terrible, while good habits are wonderful. The Apollo 11 mission is a symbol for a person's break from habits, which is difficult but necessary when he is thoroughly grounded in bad ones.
