EXCERPTS FROM Benjamin Franklins Art of Virtue Journal
by Paula Benner


Benjamin Franklins Art of Virtue Journal was designed for use by youth and adults alike, so all who seek self-betterment can benefit from Franklins counsel. His words, with all their wit and wisdom, grace the pages of this book. The method of self-improvement that you are invited to experiment with was first developed by Benjamin Franklin. His many achievements, civic virtue, and personal character demonstrate the success of his method.
This book has three parts1) Benjamin Franklin: Renaissance Man, 2) The Virtues Journal, and 3) Your Personal Journal. Part one includes a tribute to Franklin his prolific life, quest for moral excellence, and systematic method for achieving it. In Part two, the 13 virtues are presented in his sequence, along with corresponding illustrations and proverbs from Poor Richard. Part three provides a number of forms that may be reproduced to facilitate the keeping of a personal journal using Franklins approach.
Last but not least, be sure not to miss the contest announcement and Certificate of Achievement at the end of the book!

Americas Renaissance Man
In 2006, the nation commemorates the 300th anniversary of Benjamin Franklins birth. The website of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission acclaims Franklin as one of the more extraordinary men of his timeand ours. He drew electricity from the heavens, shaped an independent and unified nation, and exemplified the American character. Franklin became famous as a civic leader, statesman, diplomat, founding father, revolutionary, the first Postmaster General of the U.S., scientist, inventor, printer, publisher, writer, philanthropist, and founder of educational institutions and the first lending library. Truly Franklin can be praised as a jack-of-all-tradesand a master of most of them.

In his book, Benjamin Franklin, author Chris Looby claims that Benjamin Franklins most significant contribution was not any one of his achievements, great as they were, but rather, the way in which he lived. Virtually from nothing, Franklin forged a self-made path that led him to accomplishment and world renown. His life is a model of the American success story and the promise of opportunity bestowed upon every man, woman, and child.

The Key to Success
The energizing motive of Franklins life was a burning desire to do good, to live usefully, and to help mankind. Whenever he saw a need, he sought to provide a solution. Yet, Franklins greatness lay not in either his talents or his achievements, as extraordinary as they were, but in his character (Rogers, p. 11). In Franklins view, his quest for moral perfection was the ultimate key to his success.

Franklins Science for Self-Improvement
To communicate the principles of success to others, and especially to youth, was the main purpose of Benjamin Franklins autobiography and his hope for the work he never finished, The Art of Virtue. His goal was to help youth understand what may be achieved through a consistent application of the principles of moral excellence, or virtue.

The method Franklin used to cultivate a virtuous character is described, using his own words. To establish the habitual practice of these virtues, Franklin focused on one at a time, in a specific sequence. He created a journal comprised of formatted pages for charting his behavior. When the first virtue was strengthened through a weeks watch, he extended his attention to include the next as well. This cumulative approach allowed the completion of four courses (of the thirteen virtues) per year.

Franklins thirteen virtues, with their principles for guiding behavior, are listed below:
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.
6. INDUSTRY.
Lose no time; be always employd 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 extreams [sic]; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS.
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILITY.
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY.
Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or anothers peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY.
Imitate Jesus and Socrates (Bigelow, 1:189-190).

Following this plan for self-examination, Franklins faults diminished. Although he never reached the perfection desired, Franklin believed that his striving made him a better and happier man. As his art of virtue brought Franklin happiness all his days, he hoped we would follow the example and reap the benefit.

:)

Happy 300th birthday, Benjamin Franklin!

ERRATA



Table of Contents, line 11: For Part Two, the Virtues Journal read Parts Two and Three

Table of Contents, line 13: For Parts Two and Three read Part Two

Table of Contents, line 33: Read Contest.95

Page 3, line 20: For Instructions for using Parts and Three read Instructions for using Parts Two and Three

Page 95, line 1: Read (as the first paragraph, preceding the existing one) General information and thought-provoking questions to inspire interest in undertaking a contest are provided below. Encourage the groups and organizations to which you belongyour family, church, school, youth group, etc.to sponsor a contest. They can tailor the plan to their unique circumstances.

Page 96, lines 1-3: For Essay Topics Chose ONLY one of the following questions as per the guidelines listed above read After reflecting upon the conceptions above, choose one of the following essay questions for response: