By Benjamin Franklin In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, the hardest virtue to work on is humility (the opposite of pride), because even if you manage to be humble, that’s something to be proud of.
Which virtue on Franklin’s list is the most important?
Benjamin Franklin Believed Moderation: Most Important Virtue of Life. Benjamin Franklin’s most important virtue is moderation, without it many individuals could get disorientated to the point where stimulation dominants their daily lives.
What virtues did Benjamin Franklin have?
His list of 13: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity and Humility. Thirteen wasn’t a nod to the original colonies, nor was it random.
Why did Franklin list temperance as the first virtue?
Franklin began his list of virtues with temperance because it was the virtue that would develop the self-discipline necessary to adhere to the other 12 virtues. Temperance calls for a man to avoid overindulgence in food or drink.
Is Benjamin Franklin a virtuous person?
Ben Franklin was an author, inventor, printer, political theorist, postmaster, scientist, musician, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat, an exceedingly accomplished man. His virtues helped him to succeed and are as relevant then as they are today.
How did Franklin View moral perfection?
It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.
How many virtues did Franklin create in his plan for moral perfection?
With a few fits and starts, he jotted down twelve virtues that he would try to follow. Franklin’s list included temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, and chastity.
Which virtues are the most important?
Courage is the most important of the virtues, because without it, no other virtue can be practiced consistently, said Maya Angelou to members of this year’s graduating class.
What was Franklin’s greatest passion?
His most famous inventions and scientific discoveries came in the field of electricity, which became his all-consuming passion. Franklin even stated, “I have never before engaged in any study that so totally engrossed my attention and time” as electricity.
Why did Franklin create the 13 virtues?
In the 1780s, Benjamin Franklin carefully defined thirteen virtues to help guide his countrymen in maintaining a virtuous republic. His choice of thirteen is telling since he wrote for the citizens of the thirteen new American republics.
Why did Franklin write the 13 virtues?
I wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. In order to accomplish his goal, Franklin developed and committed himself to a personal improvement program that consisted of living 13 virtues.
What is Franklin’s art of true virtue?
Benjamin Franklin’s The Art of Virtue consists of a collection of Franklin’s writings organized around his timeless philosophy on such topics as: goal setting and personal achievement, obtaining wealth and preserving health, human relations and family living, religion and morality, aging and dying, and much, much more.
What is Franklin’s first virtue?
Temperance
The first virtue essentially set the tone for the rest. Franklin believed that temperance allowed the mind and body to work at an optimal level, making the other virtues possible.
How much time did Franklin give himself for each virtue?
one week
Franklin allotted himself one week to acquire each new virtue. And in order to see his progress, he made a record book and gave himself a black mark each time he failed to exhibit a virtue on which he was working.
Why was Franklin not able to lead the virtuous life that he desired?
Why did Franklin have the most trouble achieving the virtue of order? Order was hardest for Franklin to achieve because he found himself not always able to apply it to everything in his life, and he somewhat lacked motivation or energy to do so because he was unaccustomed to it.
What are Benjamin Franklin’s weaknesses?
Through the decades, books and articles about Franklin have examined some of his shortcomings, including his neglect of his wife, Deborah, and his estrangement from his illegitimate son, William. His writings, too, have been derided for what critics consider their strait-laced Puritanism and materialism.
What were Franklin’s beliefs?
The faith of Benjamin Franklin, however, would seem to be an easy call. He was a “deist.” We know so because he tells us in his celebrated Autobiography. Franklin grew up as the child of devout Puritans in Boston, and at one point they considered sending Ben to Harvard for training as a pastor.
What was Benjamin Franklin’s motto?
“No gains without pains.”
What virtue does Franklin place first on his list for achieving moral perfection?
The virtue that Benamin Franklin places first on his list for achieving moral perfection is temperance. Fanklin placed temperance first because if one can control powerful bodily urges to eat and drink to excess, the control of other virtues becomes more easily accomplished.
What is the moral of the story Franklin?
“The Franklin’s Tale” in “The Canterbury Tales” is a fable. Its theme is a moral: Never make a promise you do not intend to keep.
Why does Franklin rank his virtues in the order he does?
Why does Franklin place the attainment of virtues in a numerical order? He believes that some virtues help pave the way for others.