Franklin's Autobiography

Benjamin Franklin's autobiography discusses his attempts to be perfect by creating a list of virtues to follow every day. He "wished to to live without committing any fault at any time." In his autobiography, Ben Franklin came up with thirteen different virtues he believed would make him perfect. His goal was to accomplish one virtue at a time and then proceed to another. 
     Franklin's virtues include the following in order: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. His goal with temperance was to eat healthy and not drink too much. With silence, his goal was to speak positively towards others, or not speak at all.  For his order goal, he kept an orderly schedule so he would have time for everything. His resolution was to complete his goal of accomplishments for the day. With frugality, his goal was to spend his money wisely. Franklin's goal with industry was to not waste any time. His goal with sincerity was to think before he spoke. He wanted to treat everyone equally with his justice goal. For moderation, Franklin's goal was to act safely. Franklin's goal with cleanliness was to keep up with his personal hygiene and keep everything neat. He wanted to avoid arguments in his goal of tranquility. His chastity goal helped him to avoid sexual intercourse. Lastly, Franklin's goal with humility was to act as Jesus and Socrates would. 
     Franklin kept up with these virtues in a book in which he provided a page for each virtue. He divided each page into seven columns, and each day he wrote faults and respects for the particular virtue that day. After his experiment, Franklin realized that he couldn't be perfect, but following these virtues made him a better person. 


*Prentice Hall Literature Textbook

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