Franklin believed that through the practice of these virtues, he would become a better man, happier and more successful. From humble beginnings, he rose to be a successful author, printer, diplomat, scientist and founding father of the united states of america. Laurel 515 fellowship rd mount laurel, nj 080543404. Engraving of benjamin franklin, american philosopher, author and scientist printer, writer, scientist, statesman. He was an author, printer, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. This does not mean that franklin was opposed to wealth, nor that his later acquisition of. Franklins way virtues for a better life by author serge. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american. The 15th child in his family, he went to work at age ten in his fathers chandlery, then in a brothers printing house. For many decades franklin carried his little book with him, striving for a clean thirteenweek cycle. He made major discoveries in electricity and invented the bifocals and.
In the various enumerations of the moral virtues i had met with in my reading, i found the. Benjamin franklin lived his life by rules which he called the virtues. The described use of the franklin virtues chart overlooks a key principle of the psychology of behavior modification. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself. 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.
Franklins motive behind his virtues is selfimprovement and being the best possible version of himself 8486. Benjamin franklin is wellknown for his aphorisms usually printed in his almanacs and public essays. This work is classified as an autobiography because franklin is. Benjamin franklin was born in 1706 into a family of very modest means. When youre finished, youll find out how well you did on bens virtue scale. 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. The list of virtues that franklin draws up suggests that he was. Assignment breakdown essay cycle 1 due dates proposal on blackboard tues, 1015 enthymeme on blackboard thurs, oct 17 by 5 pm after class revised enthymeme in class and on blackboard tues, oct 22 essay 1. Oct 23, 2017 this question inspired 20yearold benjamin franklin to create the virtue character development system.
Benjamin franklin wrote in his memoirs of abold and arduous project of arriving at perfection. A quaker friend told franklin that he, benjamin, was generally considered proud, so benjamin put in the humility touch as an afterthought. He wants to come as close as he can to the humility of jesus and socrates 86. At the beginning of each week, he would bring out a fresh form. On wealth, luxury, and virtue national humanities center. From 1771 to his death in 1790, benjamin franklin was in the process of writing what he referred to as his memoirs. He attributed most of his success to having attempted to become a virtuous man. When youre finished, youll find out how well you did on ben s virtue scale. If youre curious why im doing this, the first one will help. Chris brings over fifty years as both teacher and actor to his work as ben. A printer by trade, he became famous as a gifted inventor, a scientist, a civic activist, a statesman, a diplomat he was the first american ambassador to france, and the author of several essays on matters ranging from politics to marriage or the game of chess. Ive been looking for a nice lightweight way to jump into using the release candidate of 2 draw im not quite ready to tackle the widget kit yet, and inspiration came from the forums where anonymous ed requested an hpda template of benjamin franklins virtues chart, dating all the way back to 1726. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was one of americas most influential founding fathers. He would focus on one point each week, such that he would cycle through the whole set once every weeks and four.
Citizen ben s 7 great virtues he was the most remarkable of the founding fathers. The amusing part is the sort of humility it displays. Benjamin franklin is wellknown for his aphorisms usually printed. 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. Franklin invented the lightning rod, the franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and bifocals. Benjamin franklins thirteen virtuesedit benjamin franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of virtues, which he developed at age 20 in 1726 and. I would not have any thing in it that should prejudice any one of any sect against it. Ben franklins two daily questions and virtues ethics. Through these beliefs and virtues franklin created a plan to achieve moral perfection. He used these virtues in his quest for moral perfection, however he admitted that he fell sort many times.
Play sporcle s virtual live trivia to have fun, connect with people, and get your trivia on. He responds to franklin s plan for achieving perfection and explains why it will not work. Join a live hosted trivia game for your favorite pub trivia experience done virtually. This journal combines franklin s daily schedule with the selfimprovement chart he created for himself as a young man. This new book by serge gautron expounds on benjamin franklins virtues. Lawrences tone throughout the essay is sarcastic and disrespectful toward franklin and his ideas. Benjamin franklin developed these virtues early in his life, and aspired to live into these virtues on a daily basis. He signed the major documents of the founding of the u. He believes acquiring certain virtues will make it easier to master others. The ben franklins virtues daily record and journal combines franklins daily schedule with the selfimprovement chart he created for himself as a young man. He developed a list of thirteen virtues he wanted to follow. 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.
All work and no play makes jack a dull employer urban times. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. He created a list of virtues and developed a chart on which he could track his progress for each virtue. Benjamin franklinone of the founding fathers of the united states of americawas an author, political theorist, scientist, musician, inventor, and the list goes on and on. 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.
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. Lawrences intention in this essay is to criticize ben franklin s selfimprovement essay. Benjamin franklin s chart of virtues virtue s m t w th f s temperance. There is more to benjamin franklin 17061790 than the american icon we know today. As i recall, the story is that franklin marked each cell when he behaved contrary to a virtue. Benjamin franklin was the quintessential selfmade man and a true renaissance man. His dislike for franklin s ideas is shown through this tone and when he. Ben was removed at 10 from the boston latin school to work with his father at candle making, but dipping wax and cutting wicks didnt spark with him. Benjamin franklin on wealth, luxury, and virtue national. Imitate jesus and socrates, and mind you dont outshine either of these two.
Then click on the answer that best reflects the real you. When benjamin franklin was 20, he wrote a point plan for how he would live his life. Ben franklins discipline of cultivating virtues assignment. Each row on this card represented one of virtues that he wanted to work on. There is perhaps no one of natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. How to develop your character benjamin franklins thirteen. As a teacher, he taught french and theater at the secondary and university levels.
In comparison to other books about franklin, the autobiography probably give you the best insight into. 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. At the age of 20, he created a system to develop his moral character. He realized that taking on all of these virtues at once was a recipe for disaster. Benjamin franklins book of virtues books of american wisdom.
Benjamin franklin s virtues benjamin franklin 1706 1790. 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. The charts had a column for each day of the week and thirteen rows marked with the first letter of each of the virtues. Benjamin franklin developed a system for living his core values as a young man. While benjamin franklin was not a saint, it is hard to argue with the influence and accomplishments he achieved throughout his life.
In the autobiography, why does franklin rank his virtues in the order he does. A lesson on benjamin franklins project for moral perfection. Citizen bens 7 great virtues he was the most remarkable of the founding fathers. It was about this time circa 1728 that i conceivd the. In his autobiography, benjamin franklin inventoried his thirteen virtues. He placed a dot next to each virtue each had violated. This question inspired 20yearold benjamin franklin to create the virtue character development system. Silence speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Franklin credited much of his success to his constant drive toward selfimprovement. How ben franklin conceivd his bold and arduous project. Ironically, this identification of franklin with american popular culture diminishes the breadth and depth of his contributions to modern political thought.
Ben franklins two daily questions and virtues ethics alarms. Its quite the list of virtues and certainly nothing easy to live up to. He ranks them in order of importance so that the greatest will be mastered first. 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 franklins virtues benjamin franklin 1706 1790 you probably know him as one of the fathers of the united states, a great leader and diplomat.
Benjamins virtues helped him succeed in politics, invention, music, business. Ben franklin s discipline of cultivating virtues assignment matthew eriksen 4 providence college in the columns below, list out your four virtues. When arranging his list of virtues, franklin compares himself to one who, having a garden to weed, does not attempt to eradicate all the bad herbs at once, but works onwho one of the beds at the time. Hyatt morristown 3 speedwell ave morristown, nj 079606838. Thirteen virtues the first step was franklin writing down a list of all the virtues he felt would help him better achieve moral perfection. The journal provides you an incredible tool to improve your life and develop upstanding character, while also getting you more focused and organized with your daytoday tasks. Franklins way virtues for a better life by author. Benjamin franklin lived his life by rules which he. One can just imagine socrates and alcibiades roaring in their cups over. Benjamin franklins book of virtues, hardcover september 27, 2016 by benjamin franklin author. Benjamin franklins virtues random just for fun or mixed word quiz can you name the virtues of benjamin franklin. Benjamin franklins weekly virtues completed thoughts.
Ben followed this plan for the attainment of moral perfection in some form for the rest of his life. His father, josiah franklin, a soap and candle maker had 17 children. In his autobiography, he devoted more pages to this plan than any other point he references in the book. In order to keep track of his adherence to these virtues, franklin carried around a small book of charts. It was so successful that he stuck to it for many years.
Ben franklin benjamin franklin was born on january 17, 1706, in boston in the massachusetts bay colony. In 1726, at the age of 20, franklin set the following lofty goal for himself. Although finding the task somewhat more difficult than he first imagined he. Franklin rejects organized religion, and in these virtues, he focuses more on the self than salvation through the deity 82. He felt that if he could only obtain the thirteen virtues that you. Materials included each student should have a copy of the project for moral perfection from the autobiography by benjamin franklin.
Even so, franklin worked at these virtues throughout his life, but how he did so is just as interesting. As he made progress, he found himself struggling with yet another defect. Increase effectiveness with this simple morning ritual accidental creative. Benjamin franklin settled on thirteen virtues, including. He believes his character flaws demand that he master certain virtues first. The charts consisted of a column for each day of the week and rows marked with the first letter of his virtues. On wealth, luxury, and virtue selections, 17271784. Benjamin franklins chart of virtues virtue s m t w th f s temperance. Read the first one here on rick warrens purposedriven life. According to franklin his initial list was of 12 virtues, but then a quaker friend pointed out that he might want to consider adding humility. Rate 5 stars rate 4 stars rate 3 stars rate 2 stars rate 1 star popular quizzes today.