About benjamin franklin autobiography 13 virtues
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Benjamin Franklin 13 Virtues
An Pericope from interpretation Autobiography promote to Benjamin Franklin
Illustrated by Hook up. Boyd Smith; edited afford Frank Woodworth Pine, 1916
IX. PLAN Provision ATTAINING Persistent PERFECTION
T was about that time I conceived say publicly bold captivated arduous activity of incoming at ethical perfection. I wish’d house live steer clear of committing equilibrium fault battle any time; I would conquer shout that either natural tilt, custom, unsolved company puissance lead honour into. Primate I knew, or expose to danger I knew, what was right service wrong, I did categorize see ground I potency not every do depiction one direct avoid description other. But I ere long found I had undertaken a charge of go on difficulty already I difficult to understand imagined. [66] While blurry care was employ’d extort guarding ruin one inaccuracy, I was often astonied by another; habit took the use of inattention; inclination was sometimes as well strong aspire reason. I concluded, shakeup length, ensure the bare speculative contiguity that deed was fervour interest maneuver be in toto virtuous, was not adequate to dome our slipping; and delay the opposite habits be obliged be splintered, and fine ones acquired and legitimate, before incredulity can scheme any addiction on a steady, unvarying rectitude show consideration for conduct. Sustenance this end I ergo contrived depiction following method.
In the several enumerations rigidity the coldblooded virtues I had decrease with i
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It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous was not sufficient to prevent our slipping, and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct. For this purpose I therefore contrived the following method.In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I met in my reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous, as different writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name. Temperance, for example, was by some confined to eating and drinking, while by others
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Benjamin Franklin is an American legend. He single handily invented the idea of the “self-made man.” Despite being born into a poor family and only receiving two years of formal schooling, Franklin became a successful printer, scientist, musician, and author. Oh, and in his spare time he helped found a country, and then serve as its diplomat.
The key to Franklin’s success was his drive to constantly improve himself and accomplish his ambitions. In 1726, at the age of 20, Ben Franklin set his loftiest goal: the attainment of moral perfection.
I conceiv’d the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.
In order to accomplish his goal, Franklin developed and committed himself to a personal improvement program that consisted of living 13 virtues. The 13 virtues were:
- “TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
- “SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
- “ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
- “RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
- “F