Based on sermons he had heard, he prepared a list of thirteen virtues he wished to perfect in himself, and then created a daily personal accountability chart to keep track of how well he had done in practicing those virtues. In 1726, at the age of 20, benjamin franklin created a system to develop his character. Bullet journal virtues the pursuit of moral perfection. Ben franklin on humility and some crafty advice on persuasion nassim taleb and barbells. It segues very nicely with ben franklin ideas of introspection and behavior as communication in the larger world, touching on his virtues of sincerity, moderation and justice. A wonderful little book outlining the virtues benjamin franklin wished to improve upon in his life. I will recommend it to our circle the next time we meet. When twentyyearold benjamin franklin included sincerity on his list of thirteen virtues, in 1726, he was highlighting a moral trait that had been in place for two centuries. Thirteen virtues by benjamin franklin free essay sample. He tracked his progress by using a little book of charts. Jun 30, 2016 he would start with one of the virtues and plot his progress on the chart until he mastered that virtue. This new book by serge gautron expounds on benjamin franklins virtues. The other day, i was reading ben franklins small book entitled the way to wealth edited by charles conrad. Ben franklin circle bookshelf ben franklin circles.
I wishd to live without committing any fault at any time. Moral perfectionism is a label that fits franklin s thoughts on virtue. He resolved to always do right and to avoid doing wrong. Franklin outlined his meticulous plan for reaching a state of moral perfection. He created a small book to track his progress with a page for each of the virtues. I proposd to myself, for the sake of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annexd to each, than a few names with. Franklin invented the lightning rod, the franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and bifocals. What is franklin s method for acquiring the virtues. To sum up, the thirteen virtues by benjamin franklin that were discussed in this paper had been called to perform several functions and bear a certain amount of meanings and messages.
Benjamin franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of virtues, which he developed at age 20 in 1726 and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. Ben franklin developed a list of virtues that he lived. Speak not but what may benefit others or your self. Increase effectiveness with this simple morning ritual accidental creative. Ben franklins two daily questions and virtues ethics. Temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility. You can get your own benjamin franklin virtue chart and journal here. What is franklins method for acquiring the virtues. The autobiography of benjamin franklin book audiobook2. In a letter to his friend years after the daily schedule was formedfranklin describes a new addition to his daily schedule, called the daily air bath. It was so successful that he stuck to it for many years. Benjamin franklin was born on milk street, in boston, massachusetts, on january 17, 1706, and baptized at old south meeting house. Benjamin franklin was born in 1706 into a family of very modest. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was one of americas most influential founding fathers.
In his autobiography tp, franklin listed his thirteen virtues as. Franklin, a printer, had a small book of charts made up that allowed him to keep track of his progress in living the virtues. In 1726, at the gray age of 20, ben franklin decided to take up the bold quest of arriving at moral perfection. Despite his many accomplishments, ben franklin, wanted to improve himself. The autobiography of benjamin franklin i proposd to myself, for the sake of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annexd to each, than a few names with more ideas.
Benjamin franklins guide to building character october 7, 2016 2 comments aly juma read theres not much to love about a daily commute, but i certainly enjoy listening to a good audio book. The charts had a column for each day of the week and thirteen rows marked with the first letter of each of the virtues. January 6, 1705 april 17, 1790 was an american polymath and one of the founding fathers of the united states. In this post youll discover franklins virtues, the method that he used in order to adhere to these virtues, and a plan so that you can follow in franklins footsteps. All work and no play makes jack a dull employer urban times. Chart of virtues, ben franklin, and sales success. It was inspiring and motivating and especially poignant because ben admits he wasnt always perfect or did well in his pursuit of improvement.
Benjamin franklin s chart of virtues virtue s m t w th f s temperance. Ben franklins virtues that he lived his life by youtube. Benjamin franklin developed these virtues early in his life, and aspired to live into these virtues on a daily basis. A week seems just long enough to do a superficial pass over the virtue and get a few laughs without experiencing any depth of insight. Benjamin franklin, one of the fathers of america, sought to constantly improve himself by using a plan of virtues, which he developed in 1726 at the age 20. Benjamin franklin wrote in his memoirs of abold and arduous project of arriving at perfection. Each day, franklin would track his progress on one virtue, in a little bookwhich had a page allotted for each of the virtuesand in the evenings, he would put a mark next the virtue if he committed a fault. Franklin was a leading writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. Benjamin franklin was perhaps even more celebrated in his day than he is by his posterity. Ben franklins virtues path to personal perfection cnn. Ben franklins virtues needed for moral perfection blog entry posted on november 6, 20 by jd thomas in chapter 9 of autobiography of benjamin franklin, mr. His goal was to improve himself with regard to each virtue so that over time he was a better person in that regard, and by being a better overall person, he was more open to lifes opportunities. In his autobiography, the author singled out the following virtues which he regarded as the most important ones.
Benjamin franklin on living a virtuous life virtues for life. He would start with one of the virtues and plot his progress on the chart until he mastered that virtue. He was one of seventeen children born to josiah franklin, and one of ten born by josiahs second wife, abiah folger. This pocketsized hardcover edition contains all thirteen moral virtues as benjamin franklin wrote them in his memoirs, first posthumously published in 1791. He was an author, printer, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. How to develop your character benjamin franklins thirteen. Franklin understands that the goal of reaching moral perfection is an impossible one, but the important thing is that he identifies the virtues and sets them as standards for his life. Read the first one here on rick warrens purposedriven life. May 30, 2019 each day, franklin would track his progress on one virtue, in a little bookwhich had a page allotted for each of the virtuesand in the evenings, he would put a mark next the virtue if he. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom.
Each row on this card represented one of virtues that he wanted to work on. In his late 20s, president benjamin franklin listed virtues that he felt were an important guide for living. Based on sermons he had heard, he prepared a list of thirteen virtues he wished to perfect in himself, and then created a daily personal accountability chart to keep track of how well he had done in practicing those virtues that day. Mar 01, 2018 ben franklin considered various virtues that, if mastered, would lead him to perfection after 10 years of following franklin s example, i am more industrious, patient, mindful and healthy.
It was about this time circa 1728 that i conceivd the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. Franklin kept a small book and recorded a mark each time he violated the virtue. In the letter, he said, i rise early almost every morning, and sit in my chamber without any clothes whatever, half an hour or an hour, according. If youre curious why im doing this, the first one will help. The art of virtue although franklin was not a serious philosopher, americans and europeans alike regarded him as very wise man. In 1949, a book was published that sought to help and inspire people around the world. Franklins way virtues for a better life by author. If the list of thirteen virtues given by ben franklin were taught to the new generation of. In order to accomplish his goal he defined virtues which he strived to live up to.
Benjamin franklins book of virtues applewood books. As stated, benjamin franklin decided to gauge his own virtues on a daily basis, and alas, came up wanting. Ben franklin developed a list of virtues that he lived his life by april 28, 2011 daven hiskey 17 comments today i found out that benjamin franklin, through extensive study of the worlds major religions and various moral codes, came up with a list of thirteen main virtues that he felt every person should strive to live their life by. Nothing is so likely to make a mans fortune as virtue. He attributed most of his success to having attempted to become a virtuous man. In 1726, at the age of 20, franklin set the following lofty goal for himself. To understand franklins perspective on humility, it is important to first understand a bit about franklin. This book, how i raised myself from failure to success in selling by frank bettger, astounded readers by creating a formula for achievement in sales. Benjamin franklin one of the founding fathers of the united states of americawas an author, political theorist, scientist, musician, inventor, and the list goes on and on. I was instantly fascinated and had to try it out for myself. Each day, franklin would track his progress on one virtue, in a little bookwhich had a page allotted for each of the virtuesand in the evenings, he would put a. Each column on this card represented a day of the week monday through sunday.
Franklin developed his list of virtues based on the moral virtues he had come across in his readings. When benjamin franklin was 20, he wrote a point plan for how he would live his life. Benjamin franklins book of virtues by benjamin franklin goodreads. Benjamin franklins book of virtues, hardcover september 27, 2016 by benjamin franklin author. Use no hurtful deceit, he wrote, think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. When one of the founding fathers of america benjamin franklin was just 20 1726, he set out to cultivate his character by practicing virtues, one each week. Ben franklin considered various virtues that, if mastered, would lead him to perfection after 10 years of following franklins example, i am. Turns out thomas jefferson wasnt the only one who was way ahead of us in his autobiography, ben franklin discusses the time when hed first committed himself to following the virtues he considered necessary for moral perfection. Benjamin franklin frs frsa frse january 17, 1706 o. Ben franklins virtues needed for moral perfection. Ben admitted that he was never able to live the virtues perfectly, but felt he had become a better and happier man for having made the attempt. He was a highly frusted adviser to statesmen, as well as to ordinary people. Here are the virtues that franklin tracked and reflected upon each day. Ben franklins virtue cards for a large portion of franklins life, he carried around a card in his pocket that depicted a simple table with seven columns and rows on it.
Ben franklin considered various virtues that, if mastered, would lead him to perfection after 10 years of following franklin s example, i am more industrious, patient, mindful and healthy. Its quite the list of virtues and certainly nothing easy to live up to. Ever since i wrote about ben franklin s virtues and his diary back in 2008, i really wanted something like it for myself and for our readers. Lets take a look at franklins list of virtues and examine how we might apply them to ourselves. Ben followed this plan for the attainment of moral perfection in some form for the rest of his life. Ben franklins virtues that he lived his life by duration. Even so, franklin worked at these virtues throughout his life, but how he did so is just as interesting. This presentation on brother ben franklins virtues is taken from the art of manliness blog, which is authored by husband and wife team, brother brett and kate mckay. I stumbled upon ben franklins virtues journal while reading the happiness hypothesis. The title of this book is benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom and it was written by benjamin franklin. Franklin, a printer, had a small book of charts made up that allowed. As for the main criteria of selecting the mentioned virtues, the author makes an emphasis that he included under thirteen. He realized that taking on all of these virtues at once was a recipe for disaster. Jul 29, 2010 the author sets himself the goal of selfimprovement by following benjamin franklin s virtues, focusing on one a week.
Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american. His goal was that by focusing on a single virtue for a period of time he could more fully focus on that virtue. Emergent strategy by adrienne maree brown i think it fits right in with bfc. Graham and dodd quote adjusting assets in calculating book value fully translated.
Among franklins list of virtues were personal traits frugality, moderation, tranquility and social traits sincerity, justice, humility. Ever since i wrote about ben franklins virtues and his diary back in 2008, i really wanted something like it for myself and for our readers. Apr, 2020 ben franklin s virtue cards for a large portion of franklin s life, he carried around a card in his pocket that depicted a simple table with seven columns and rows on it. On the one hand, they served as the reflection of franklins outlook and personality. Applewood books now offers benjamin franklin s book of virtues as franklin intended it a beautiful little hardcover, complete with the list of thirteen virtues and a chart to monitor ones own progress. Mar 17, 2015 a wonderful little book outlining the virtues benjamin franklin wished to improve upon in his life. Benjamin franklins chart of virtues virtue s m t w th f s temperance. Their blog features articles on helping men be better husbands, better fathers. It was his goal to focus on a particular virtue a week at a time.