Question

As you read the following excerpt from Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography highlight any key ideas in the section. If you choose, you can take notes of that section in the second column.

Excerpt from Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography
1. It was about this time that I conceiv’d the bold and arduous (difficult) Project of arriving at moral Perfection. I wish to live without committing any Fault at any time; I would conquer (win) all that either Natural Inclination (habit), 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….

2. In the various enumerations (lists) of the moral Virtues (good qualities) I had with in my Reading, I found the Catalog more or less numerous…. ...and I included under Thirteen Names of Virtues all that at that time occurred to me as necessary or desirable, and annexed (added) to each a short Precept (rule), which fully express’d the extent I gave to its Meaning.

3. These Names of Virtues with their Precepts 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 (promist) to perform (do) what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit (lying); think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly (in the same way).

JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting (leaving out) the benefits that are your duty.

MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve (do not blow things out of proportion).

CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

TRANQUILITY. Be not disturbed at trifles (little things), or at accidents common or unavoidable.

CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

4. My Intention (plan) being to acquire the Habitude of all these Virtues, I judged it would be well not to distract my Attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time, and when I should be Master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on till I should have gone thro’ the thirteen….

5. I determined to give a Week’s strict Attention to each of the Virtues successively (one after the other)....

6. I entered upon the execution of this Plan for Self examination, and continued it with occasional Intermissions (short breaks) for some time. I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of Faults than I had imagined, but I had the Satisfaction of seeing them diminish (decrease).
…on the whole, tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavor (attempt), a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it…..

Answer 1

Some key ideas from the excerpt from Benjamin Franklin's autobiography:

• Franklin had a strong desire to be a moral person.
• He created a list of 13 virtues that he wanted to embody.
• He decided to focus on one virtue at a time.
• He kept track of his progress by writing in a journal.
• He was not perfect, but he was still able to make progress.

I have also included some notes from the excerpt in the second column:

1. Franklin's desire for moral perfection is admirable. It shows that he was a man of high ideals.
2. His list of 13 virtues is comprehensive and covers a wide range of areas, from personal habits to social interactions.
3. His decision to focus on one virtue at a time is a wise one. It is easier to make progress when you are not trying to change everything at once.
4. Keeping track of his progress in a journal was a helpful way for Franklin to stay motivated.
5. The fact that Franklin was not perfect does not diminish his accomplishments. He still made a lot of progress, and he was able to become a better person as a result of his efforts.

I think that Franklin's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows that it is possible to improve ourselves and become better people, even if we are not perfect. If we are willing to work hard and make an effort, we can all achieve our own personal goals of moral perfection.

Here is a summary of the excerpt:

Benjamin Franklin was a man who was always striving to improve himself. He believed that it was possible to achieve moral perfection, and he set out to do just that. He created a list of 13 virtues that he wanted to embody, and he focused on one virtue at a time. He kept track of his progress in a journal, and he was not afraid to admit when he made mistakes. Franklin was not perfect, but he was still able to make a lot of progress. He became a better person, and he inspired others to do the same.