The Moral Perfection Project

In 1733 Benjamin Franklin began a project for self improvement. He listed 13 virtues he would work on. He thought this a managable list and so it helped him to focus on what he thought was important. This is his list together with his definitions of virtue.

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 to perform 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; thing 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 resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
Humility: (this last was added at a friend’s suggestion. – JL)

His project aimed for success in this world and not so much as exaulting his soul in the next. He strove for the practical.

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Pictured: Benjamin Franklin at his regular day job, working in the printing office.

More information: Wikipedia, Franklin's Autobiography

Franklin on Social Networking

Benjamin Franklin started one of the first professional networking clubs in America in the fall of 1727. Think of today's Kiwanis Clubs or the Rotary Clubs and you get the idea of his "Leather Apron Club". His club was informally known as "The Junto". To help discussions, he wrote this guide:

1. Have you read anything lately that is remarkable or suited to be communicated to the Junto?*
2. What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling in conversation?
3. Hath any citizen in your knowledge failed in his business lately, and what have you heard of the cause?
4. Have you lately heard of any citizen’s thriving well, and by what means?
5. Have you lately heard how any present rich man, here or elsewhere, got his estate?
6. Do you know of any fellow citizen who has lately done a worthy action deserving praise and imitation? Or who has committed an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?
7. What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? Of imprudence? Of passion? Or of any other vice or folly?
12. Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town since last meeting that you heard of? And what have you heard of his character or merits? And whether you think it lies to the power of the Junto to oblige him or encourage him as he deserves?
14. Have you lately observed any defect in the laws of your country of which it would be proper to move the legislation for amendment?
15. Have you lately observed any encroachments on the just liberties of the people?
16. Has anybody attacked your reputation lately, and what can the Junto do toward securing it?
17. Is there any man whose friendship you want and which the Junto or any of them can procure for you?
20. In what manner can the Junto or any of them assist you in any of your honorable designs?

* reworded by myself – JL

In this internet age, some of these topics could be used for Twitter and Facebook, too, though these topics seem to me to be mostly for local and in-person meetings.

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Pictured: Benjamin Franklin at his regular day job, working in the printing office.

More information: Wikipedia, Franklin's Autobiography

Ben Franklin's Rules of Life

In July 1726 he was 20 years old. Sailing from London to a new job in Philadelphia, he wrote out for himself his “Plan for Future Conduct”. In this plan, he listed four basic rules he would live by. These are those rules.

1. It is necessary for me to be extremely frugal for some time, till I have paid what I owe.
2. To endeavor to speak truth in every instance; to give nobody expectations that are not likely to be answered, but aim at sincerity in every word and action – the most amiable excellence in a rational being.
3. To apply myself industriously to whatever business I take in hand, and not divert my mind from my business by any foolish project of suddenly growing rich; for industry and patience are the surest means of plenty.
4. I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever.

Franklin was one of the earliest self-help improvement authors in America.

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Pictured: Benjamin Franklin at his regular day job, working in the printing office.

More information: Wikipedia, Franklin's Autobiography