Speak not but what may benefit others or your self. Then think of things that you would like to change about yourself. All work and no play makes jack a dull employer urban times. Franklin kept a small book and recorded a mark each time he violated the virtue.
He wanted to conquer all that natural inclination, custom and tradition, or the company of others might lead him to wrongly do. Today, theyd probably be called lower middle class at best. Today, virtue has taken on soft and effeminate connotations. While it would be admirable to adhere to the complete list, perhaps there are one or two that are important to you, or perhaps there are other values that are. Franklin s virtues in 1726, at the age of 20, benjamin franklin devised a list of virtues to live by for as long as possible, in an attempt to live without committing any fault at any time. An individual should not overindulge in food or drink. In his autobiography tp, franklin listed his thirteen virtues as.
While benjamin franklin was not a saint, it is hard to argue with the influence and. 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. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom. He would start with one of the virtues and plot his progress on the chart until he mastered that virtue. He then focussed on one virtue each week and kept notes on his progress. He arranged it so the first would be the easiest for him to attain, and help prepare him for the next. Franklin always carried a booklet with these virtues. After 10 years of following franklins example, i am more industrious, patient, mindful. Franklin was the first american author to gain a wide and permanent reputation in europe. I included under thirteen names of virtues all that at that time occurrd to me as.
Think about benjamin franklins essay on virtues and the discussion in class today. Applewood books now offers benjamin franklins 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. Increase effectiveness with this simple morning ritual accidental creative. The project gutenberg ebook of autobiography of benjamin. 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. Benjamin franklin is wellknown for his aphorisms usually printed in his almanacs and public essays. As stated, benjamin franklin decided to gauge his own virtues on a daily basis, and alas, came up wanting. It was inspiring and motivating and especially poignant because ben admits he wasnt always perfect or did well in his pursuit of improvement. Page 3 introduction benjamin franklin was born in milk street, boston, on january 6, 1706. Please provide a little information so we can be in touch with any updates and new resources. 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. He felt that if he could only obtain the thirteen virtues that you.
Benjamin franklins virtues printable by asht0n112358 on. Even so, franklin worked at these virtues throughout his life, but how he did so is just as interesting. 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. Ben followed this plan for the attainment of moral perfection in some form for the rest of his life. Its quite the list of virtues and certainly nothing easy to live up to. Fourpage excerpt of the autobiography of benjamin franklin criticalthinking question handout that requires students to dig back into benjamin franklins informational text and their own minds to find the answers detailed answer keys for all questions, designed to make grading easy and. He developed a list of thirteen virtues he wanted to follow. He made himself a list of virtues, which he trotted inside like a grey nag in a. Jun 30, 2016 ben franklin s virtues that he lived his life by. Benjamin franklin was born in 1706 into a family of very modest means. Writing the autobiography in his 79th year, franklin looks back to when, at age 22, he undertook the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. Ben franklins virtues are certainly a worthy list of qualities but they may not all be values that resonate with you personally. Benjamin franklins thirteen virtues journal i stumbled upon ben franklins virtues journal while reading the happiness hypothesis.
He felt that if he could only obtain the thirteen virtues that youll find in the following pages. Read the first one here on rick warrens purposedriven life. Benjamin franklins virtues prosperopedia the handbook. Franklin wrote an autobiography, a book about his life. 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. Benjamin franklins chart of virtues virtue s m t w th f s temperance.
He tracked his progress by using a little book of charts. The ben franklin circles are a bold initiative that brings people together in facetoface salons driven by two simple goals. While benjamin franklin was not a saint, it is hard to argue with the influence and accomplishments he achieved throughout his life. Temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility.
Their blog features articles on helping men be better husbands, better fathers. He made himself a list of virtues, which he trotted inside like a grey nag in a paddock. Benjamin franklin lists virtues, tries to live by them the benjamin franklin memorial in philadelphia, pennsylvania. Ben franklins two daily questions and virtues ethics. Before putting pen to paper on his daily schedule, franklin created a list of virtues to live by. 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. Franklin developed his list of virtues based on the moral virtues he had come across in his readings. Benjamin franklins book of virtues by benjamin franklin. Each time he disobeyed a virtue, hed mark it in his booklet. Anyway franklin was very much against polemic arguments. Franklin must also be classed as the first american humorist. In 1726, at the age of 20, benjamin franklin created a system to develop his character. As franklin says, he came up with his catalog of virtues by surveying others thoughts on virtue and selecting a set that tat that time occurrd to me as necessary or desirable. Franklin s catalog of virtues an eclectic catalog of virtues like franklin s is one that has no single source or set of reasons behind it.
In the various enumerations of the moral virtues i had met with in my reading, i found the. Ben franklin considered various virtues that, if mastered, would lead him to perfection. Using benjamin franklins thirteen virtues as well as the tips provided, i hope this short article has given you a few ideas to help increase your productivity and achieve more success. Benjamin franklin developed a system for living his core values as a young man. One of the key members of the group we call the founding fathers of the united states of america, benjamin franklin was a brilliant statesman with a mind fixated on. Each row on this card represented one of virtues that he wanted to work on. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american. You, and i, we will never reach personal perfection. The following virtues can be divided in personal and social behavior. His goal was that by focusing on a single virtue for a period of time he could more fully focus on that virtue.
Ben franklins discipline of cultivating virtues assignment matthew eriksen 3 providence college for each of your selected virtues, list out the behaviors in which you should and should not engage in to live consistently with it. His father, josiah franklin, was a tallow chandler who married twice, and of his seventeen children benjamin was the youngest son. In his late 20s, president benjamin franklin listed virtues that he felt were an important guide for living. Excerpt from the autobiography of benjamin franklin, pertaining to his virtues for achieving moral perfection it was about this time i conceivd the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfectioni should be happy in viewing a clean book, after a thirteen weeks. Increase effectiveness with this simple morning ritual accidental creative pingback. Get the knowledge you need in order to pass your classes and more. Even if we keep trying and trying and getting better and better, we wont be perfect. Ben franklins virtues that he lived his life by youtube. It was his goal to focus on a particular virtue a week at a time. On wealth, luxury, and virtue selections, 17271784. The autobiography, poor richard, father abrahams speech or the way to wealth, as well as some of the bagatelles, are as widely known abroad as any american writings. A quaker friend told franklin that he, benjamin, was generally considered proud, so benjamin put in the humility.
Benjamin franklin s chart of virtues virtue s m t w th f s temperance. The virtues, hacks, and routines of the great benjamin franklin. 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. In this article youll learn about benjamin franklins virtues that can help you become a better person. At the beginning of each week, he would bring out a fresh form. Each column on this card represented a day of the week monday through sunday. 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. 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 signed the declaration of independence and the constitution. Which makes these virtues a mystery to me that i have never heard of them before. Never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or anothers peace or reputation. Mar 17, 2015 a wonderful little book outlining the virtues benjamin franklin wished to improve upon in his life. Benjamin franklin was also a pioneer of selfimprovement. Ben franklins discipline of cultivating virtues assignment. Come browse our large digital warehouse of free sample essays. On wealth, luxury, and virtue national humanities center. Ben franklins autobiography, informational text, franklin. How to develop your character benjamin franklins thirteen. After weeks he would start the process over again so in one year he would complete the course a total of 4 times. Ben franklins virtues path to personal perfection cnn. For the past weeks, the art of manliness has been running a series entitled the virtuous life.
In 1726, at the age of 20, benjamin franklin devised a list of virtues to live by for as long as possible, in an attempt to live without committing any fault at any time. After 10 years of following franklin s example, i am more industrious, patient, mindful. A companion to benjamin franklins book of virtues franklin, benjamin on. Cirlces meet regularly, using ben franklins classic virtues to spark discussion about members goals and aspirations who they want to be, and what they want to contribute to the world.
Each week we took a look at each one of benjamin franklin s virtues and how men could implement them in their life. A wonderful little book outlining the virtues benjamin franklin wished to improve upon in his life. Im proud and excited to announce the launch of the. It was inspiring and motivating and especially poignant because ben admits he wasnt always perfect or did well in his pursuit of. Franklins catalog of virtues an eclectic catalog of virtues like franklins is one that has no single source or set of reasons behind it. 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.
One of the key members of the group we call the founding fathers of the united states of america, benjamin franklin was a brilliant statesman with a mind fixated on improvement on every front. Franklin believed that temperance allowed the mind and body to work at an optimal level, making the other virtues possible. He committed to giving strict attention to one virtue each week so after weeks he moved through all. Here are the virtues that franklin tracked and reflected upon each day.
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. He proceeds to list thirteen virtues he hoped to achieve in his daily practice so that he might reach moral perfection. I was instantly fascinated and had to try it out for myself. How ben franklin conceivd his bold and arduous project. The first virtue essentially set the tone for the rest. Bullet journal virtues the pursuit of moral perfection. He realized that taking on all of these virtues at once was a recipe for disaster. If youre curious why im doing this, the first one will help. Lawrence on ben franklin chapter 2 benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklins virtues franklin wrote that he formulated this list at the age of 20 on a month. Benjamin franklins chart of virtues knowledge house. At the right is the actual form that ben used to track his progress.