ESSENTIAL QUESTION
What qualities did Benjamin Franklin consider to be important in developing himself as a young man?
CONTEXT
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the best known founding fathers. He was a writer, scientist, diplomat, publisher, inventor, and a leading intellectual of the late 18th century. He helped draft the American Declaration of Independence and was the first president of what would become the University of Pennsylvania. His life and legacy in the founding of the United States is reflected in the fact that his image is still on the $100 bill. From a poor family, Franklin built his publishing business from nothing but was always interested in ways to improve himself and the world around him.
As a young man wanting to make his way in the world, Franklin took a hard look at his own behaviors and thought of ways to improve himself. In 1726, at about the age of 20, Franklin wrote his 13 Virtues, listed below as taken from Franklin’s Autobiography. He decided that he would not try to change everything at once–that was overwhelming–but he would work on one virtue for a week and then move on to the next one.
As you read his list of virtues, consider the different areas of his life that Franklin was attempting to discipline. Where appropriate, clarification of terms are included in brackets.
TEXT
Franklin’s 13 Virtues
- Temperance: Eat not to dullness [being too full]. Drink not to elevation [being drunk].
- Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation [gossip].
- Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
- Resolution: Resolve to perform [Determine to accomplish] what you ought [should]. 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 [busy with] something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
- Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
- Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
- Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forbear [politely do not] resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
- Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation [living area].
- Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles [unimportant things], or at accidents common or unavoidable.
- Chastity: Rarely use venery [sexual indulgence] but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
- Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
INQUIRY
- Looking at the list of virtues, classify the virtues in three or four groups of virtues. Justify your answer.
- Franklin intended to list the virtues in a specific order so that each virtue could support the development of the next one on the list; for instance, temperance could help support the virtue of silence. Do you agree with his order? Do you see ones that might be reordered? Justify your answer.
- Was it wise for Franklin to attempt to master a new virtue each week? Why or why not?
- Which three virtues do you consider most important for Franklin as a young man in 1726? Why?
- Franklin added the 13th virtue later because a friend told him he had a problem with self-pride. What does it say about Franklin that he was willing to amend his list?
- In what ways do each virtue relate to self-discipline?
- Which three virtues would you consider most important for yourself? Why?
- Write your own list of 13 virtues. Chart your progress over 13 weeks. What conclusions can you draw from the experience?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://www.fi.edu/en/science-and-education/benjamin-franklin
https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/benjamin-franklin/
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