Virtues of a Perfectionist
One of the most influential individuals in American history was Benjamin Franklin. Franklin a renowned author, printer, politician and U.S. Founding Father, made numerous contributions towards the development and writing of the Constitution of the United States as well as the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin strived to improve himself over the course of his life due to the fact, that “Franklin was a conscious and a conscientious perfectionist”(Arriving at Perfection) that desired to embark on the journey to moral perfection and self improvement through a variety of different avenues. Franklin believed that if he applied the guidance of the thirteen virtues he could achieve moral perfection and improve
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Franklin initially started with four resolutions however throughout the process Franklin's developed an additional thirteen virtues to better achieve moral perfection. Throughout the course of Benjamin Franklin's life he felt that he needed to improve and as a result we see the development and implementation of his four resolutions. Franklin aimed to be more frugal thus becoming more financially responsible and better able to repay his debts to others, this later became Franklin's first resolution. To Benjamin Franklin being honest and sincere with your words and following suit with your actions were of the utmost importance so in turn he established this as his second resolution. The third resolution that Benjamin Franklin set for himself was to remain industrious to whatever business project that he began and to avoid abandoning projects for the allure of suddenly becoming rich. Benjamin Franklin established these resolutions to aid him on his journey to moral perfection and this is very clear with Benjamin Franklin's fourth and final resolution which was to never speak ill of another man regardless of the circumstance even in a matter of truth because Franklin felt it would be better to speak good of everyone he …show more content…
Benjamin Franklin was an early pioneer in self improvement and self awareness because he had the courage and humility to look at himself in a different perspective, to find flaws and make an attempt to correct them through his scheme for moral perfection. Franklin succeeded in applying his scheme for moral perfection and this is evident because his achievements, accomplishments as well as reputation as a whole are still being held in high regard among people all over the world, even today. It seems Benjamin Franklin's legacy is still influencing generations of Americans as we continue to learn about his life, inventions, and decisions he made as an early American politician. Benjamin Franklin was a great American who strived to improve himself and the world around him and as a result his life continues to inspire people all around the globe who seek moral
Both men had some affiliation with Christianity: praise and thank God for their good fortune in life. Franklin wanted to attain Moral Perfection, given that he enumerated 13 virtues: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chasity, Humility. Franklin even contends to follow the actions of Jesus, The Son of God. He believed that the only religion that matters to him is the religion of hard work and material success. He values rationality and reasonableness above all.
Benjamin Franklin was “one of the ablest of the able men whom the American republic numbers amongst her fathers and founders.” (The Illustrated Magazine of Art 37) Franklin was many things during his lifetime and assisted in leading America through a turbulent time of politics. He was a supporter of federalism and religious liberty. His beliefs aligned with many of the virtues of enlightenment ideals.
“Man 's tongue is soft, and bone doth lack; yet a stroke therewith may break a man 's back.” From Poor Richard’s Almanack in 1740, these are several out of thousands of wise words spoken by America’s greatest Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin. He was among the most famous people of his time period and was one of the greatest celebrated figures in the history of the United States. There are numerous ways in which he achieved these titles but they all amount to the one feature that was constant throughout his entire life, success. Through inventing, writing, conducting science experiments such as detecting the presence of electricity in lightning, and being one of the biggest renowned diplomats during the 18th century, his life would leave a
Benjamin Franklin, is known as one of the founding fathers who drafted the Declaration Of Independence and the constitution of the United States. Among other titles, he is recognized as a diplomat, scientist, inventor, and a writer who decided to write an autobiography on himself. He wrote his Autobiography for his son and generally talked about what he had to go through to end up happy as he did, before he died. His autobiography was basically a shared memory, through writing, on a permanent document that can last longer, in contrast to his body. Although Benjamin Franklin did not finish his autobiography what he had written so far influenced us as his readers to see him as a well rounded person because he is independent, determined, and inspirational.
Franklin was trying to reach perfection, and this excerpt documents that struggle. Many people try to reach a higher level of humanity, but none are able to achieve it. People will alway be flawed, no matter how they may wish this was not the case. “...I believe this [is] the case of many, who, having, for want of some
Ben Franklin did not try to re-invent others prior discoveries, but instead he paved the way for people to come. For example, the text reads, "These important concepts had come from an original experiment which Franklin had performed, and which turned out to be one of the most fundamental in physics". This quote could be used to prove that Ben Franklin would be a pioneer for scientists to come. He was able to revolutionize the way people live, while having dozens of his own ideas, and inventions. Not only was he a pioneer, but Ben Franklin was persistent.
Hundreds of years ago, numerous amounts of brave patriots existed, only some actually finding success. In the era of the Revolutionary War, there were nominal amounts of patriots, since many didn’t want to die. However, one of the greatest diplomat ever to live, rose up and took all the will to defend our land and the Constitution. Born in Boston on January 17, 1706, young Franklin struck out on his own in 1723, eventually finding success when leading America to its pinnacle (Heath par. 2). Franklin was the only natural philosopher, who earned a reputation in all of America and Asia.
There were a lot of American men who had perfect influence on people’s mind of American society. Jonathan Edward and Benjamin Franklin were two of those writers, who were the most important and intellectual men, who left behind many admirable works for the future society. In spite of them being so intelligent, they have some different and similar views in terms of morality, personal responsibility, human nature, and limits of human knowledge and inform people how to live a better life. In addition, they were different in terms of religious inclinations. Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Edward were both philosopher and had similar views in terms of informing people the right way to live in order to be successful and get salvation by reforming their mind in their life.
Benjamin Franklin is known to be an “Archetypal American,” because of his beliefs on religion, self-improvement, hard work, and determination; but also his somewhat prideful spirit. Much of modern America is quite similar to Franklin in his actions throughout his lifetime. In his early years, Franklin’s father, Josiah, had a set plan for what he was supposed to do with his life, as a minister. Soon into his education, he found an interest in reading and writing, so he began pursuing a career in printing.
Even those who did not accomplish their goals franklin considered that they a made commitment to their country because they believed in hard labor. Franklin established a common goal to the American culture which is based on hard work and
Benjamin Franklin and His 13 Virtues In part II of Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, he lists the 13 virtues every man should follow to establish a modeled “habitude” that would better life for all men of the time period. Although not all men of the 1780s were perfect examples of these virtues, these virtues are what the “old lights” strived to be. The virtues “occurred to [Franklin] as necessary or desirable” (Franklin, 428). The success of the nation was reliant on heading towards a similar goal - a goal to be a well-respected example for the nation.
In his early life, Franklin begins to exhibit a trait that is now an integral part of American identity: a commitment to self-improvement.
After realizing Franklin needed to change his ways he then came up with thirteen virtues to embody in his life. He took on each virtue at a time fully master it before moving to the next, to make sure he truly did practice what each one ment. Franklin “made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues. I ruled each page with red ink, so as to have seven columns, one for each day of the week, marking each column with a letter for the day” (Franklin 116). The book allowed Franklin to take a step further on his self examination.
He talks about things from the “establishment, that which [he] first formed, called the Union Fire Company” (Franklin 82) which was a big deal back then to inventing a new fireplace. He writes about his good deeds because Franklin wants to show what good Americans can do. His son would probably not have care as much, but the general public would care how Americans can prosper. Part three is all about how he prospered, how he lived the ‘American Dream’ Some believe that Benjamin Franklin wrote about his good deeds because he wanted to show Great Britain how great America was. He wanted to show that they could grow and prosper, that the Americans do not need Great Britain to survive, that they are fine by themselves, maybe ever
Franklin claims that he has been living long enough to see errors that he made, therefore as he grow older, he tend to “doubt of [his] own judgment” because nobody is perfect due to his past experiences (43). The informations that Franklin presents is to show his reputation that he is not perfect, also his constitution but he is open minded and willing to make what is best for the people. The perspective errors of the constitution have, is being “sacrificed to the public good” meaning all the flaw that constitution have will not be reveal to the people (44). Franklin is very passion about what is best for the people and their happiness, furthermore his characteristic is very respectful toward the citizen and the congress.