Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin — Key Phases, Concepts, and Plan for Moral Perfection (Summary Notes)

IX Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection

• Franklin undertakes a bold program to achieve moral perfection, drafting a list of thirteen virtues and a day-by-day plan to cultivate them. The virtues include Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquillity, Chastity, and Humility.

• He creates a daily self-examination method: a ledger with seven days and thirteen virtue-tracks to record faults. He adopts a strategy of focusing on one virtue at a time, beginning with Temperance, and uses prayer and reflection to sustain his efforts. Though he acknowledges imperfection, he credits the regimen with making him a better, happier person and more effective public servant.