Autobiography of Ben Franklin

Establishing YOUR dream

“I wished to live without committing any fault at any time.”

Reflection: List all the faults that you have. List all the good qualities you have. Why would it be beneficial to live with no

faults?

We are learning about morality

Connotations

Moral Perfection: of or relating to perfecting the principles

of right and wrong in behavior Virtue: a commendable quality or trait Vice: a moral fault or failing

13 virtues

work on one by one Record progress in a special notebook Place a black mark beside a forgotten

virtue Failings = vices = need to get rid of

What are the 13 virtues?

1. Temperance Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. Silence Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

13 cont. 6. Industry Lose no time; be always employed in

something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation Avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation

Do you suppose his plan was successful?

Explain.

13 cont.

11. Tranquility Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Chastity 13. Humility Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Connotations

Each of the 13 virtues was chosen carefully by Benjamin Franklin for the particular connotations (the ideas associated with a word), which can be positive, negative, or neutral.

ConnotationsWords + - 0 Why?Sincerity: don’t use harmful deceit when giving your opinion

Sincerity is usually considered a positive quality. When a person is sincere they do not have ulterior motives for being nice and they do not lie just so you will not be mad or upset with them. Virtue.

Honesty: truthfulness & sincerity

Workaholic: constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken at expense of other things Blunt: abrupt manner

Hygiene habitually keeping things clean

Diligence: constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken

Immaculateness: keeping things spotlessly clean

Exit Ticket

Consider the 13 virtues Benjamin Franklin chose to include. Which virtue on his list strikes you as being the most important? Explain why. Which virtue on his list would you choose to help improve your life? Explain why.