From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography (p. 80 – 83)
Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.
1. Explain what was involved in Franklin Franklin
Franklin’s plan for self-perfection involved 13 virtues: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. Franklin focused on each virtue, one at a time. In a book, each virtue was allotted to a row and was recorded. Through this, Franklin discovered more faults, but continued to try and diminish them. Franklin often relapsed, especially on the harder virtues of this plan like Order. Even though Franklin never was able to achieve perfection, he was a happier person then he was before. Though Franklin was not able to reach his goal, he was benefited by his plan. He came out as a better person and learned many lessons he may have never discovered.
2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin
I think that a plan like Franklin’s, though it would be difficult, would improve me greatly as a person. I think that writing down my faults and finding a way to fix them or go about them differently is better than ignoring them and continuing to make the same mistake. It would help me be more aware of my actions and words towards myself and others. My top five virtues would be silence, temperance, frugality, industry, and tranquility. I think silence is important because often times I speak too much, and say things that may be hurtful to others or me. Temperance because often times I eat too much or drink too much when I’m not even hungry or thirsty. I become ungracious of what I have. Frugality, because I like to spend my money of useless things. Industry because working hard is important to go far in life. Tranquility because throughout my busy life, everyone needs peace and silence to keep them sane.
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