Benjamin Franklin Quotes and Meanings: Perfection
Benjamin Franklin’s quotes and meanings: perfection section will be updated as new articles referencing them are added.
Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words Transcript of Benjamin Franklin, Epitaph:
“The Body of B. Franklin, Printer; like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost; For it will, as he believ’d, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended By the Author.”
Verification: According to Library of Congress, Benjamin Franklin used to give copies of his humorous epitaph to friends from time to time. He died on April 17, 1790 in Philadelphia, PA at the age of 84. In his epitaph, he references a next life coming back as a “more perfect Edition” of himself.
Library of Congress,”Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words.”
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Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues:
“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 employ’d in 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 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 to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”
“Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”
Verification: Benjamin Franklin devised a system of self-improvement to attain moral perfection. He concentrated on each of the virtues four times a year, and was known to ask friends how he was doing.
Originally there were twelve virtues, but a friend suggested he needed to add “humility,” so he did. He also acknowledged that “order” was the most difficult of the 13 virtues for him to achieve, and acknowledged late in life that he never attained perfection, but it was worth the effort.
The 13 virtues appeared in his Part 2 of his autobiography.
Wikipedia, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Additional information and related articles you may be interested in:
Article discusses Ben Franklin’s Autobiography, including Part Two containing his 13 virtues.
“Franklin begins Part Two in 1784, giving a more detailed account of his public library plan. He then discusses his “bold and arduous Project of arriving at moral Perfection”, listing thirteen virtues he wishes to perfect in himself.
He creates a book with columns for each day of the week, marking his offenses against each virtue with black spots. Of these virtues, he notices that Order is the hardest for him to keep. He eventually realizes that perfection is not to be attained, but his attempt makes him feel better and happier.”
Wikipedia, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
More detail description of the Thirteen Virtues in Benjamin Franklin’s own words.
The Project of Moral Perfection, Benjamin Franklin, excerpted by The Imaginative Conservative.
This article shows how Benjamin Franklin’s wisdom is still relevant to solving the root cause of chaos in America.
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