from Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography
ASSIGNMENT from the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin Read your literature book pgs. 141-146 What connections do you see between Franklin’s selected virtues and his Puritan upbringing? Be specific. Which Puritan values seem to be reflected in his choices? Explain. Do any of his virtues seem to be in conflict or tension with Puritan values? Explain Evaluate Franklin’s process. How will he work to master these 13 virtues? Why focus on one at a time? What is his process for recording his progress, and what is the purpose of this recording? What do his decisions about procedure/process reveal about his understanding of human nature? Would you suggest any changes to his process?
Write these words and definitions down in your journal. Arduous – difficult Inclination – tendency Inattention – the act of neglect Speculative – theoretical Conviction – a firm belief Virtuous – leading a moral life Rectitude – integrity
In what ways have you tried to improve yourself? Discuss In what ways have you tried to improve yourself?
Franklin’s Goal “It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.”
What was Franklin’s goal? “It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.” Discuss: Discuss Franklin’s goal in your own words. Do you think it is obtainable? Why or why not?
Franklin’s Reasoning “As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other.”
What was Franklin’s reasoning? Put it in your own words. Do you think it is logical? Why or why not?
Franklin’s Discovery “But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.”
What was Franklin’s discovery? “But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I had imagined. While my care was employed in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another; habit took the advantage of inattention; inclination was sometimes too strong for reason.” Discuss: Write it in your own words. Are you surprised? Why or why not?
Franklin’s Conclusion “I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous was not sufficient to prevent our slipping, and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct.”
What was Franklin’s conclusion? “I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous was not sufficient to prevent our slipping, and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct.” Discuss: Write it in your own words.
Franklin’s Plan He reads other peoples’ ideas on these thoughts and includes “under thirteen names of virtues all that at that time occurred to [him] as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept, which fully expressed the extent [he] gave to its meaning.” Write down the list of 13 virtues and how they are defined.
#1 Temperance “Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.” (moderation or self-restraint)
#2 Silence (absence of any sound or noise; stillness) “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” (absence of any sound or noise; stillness)
#3 Order “Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.” (state of proper arrangement or preparation)
#4 Resolution “Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.” (determining upon an action)
#5 Frugality “Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i.e., waste nothing.” (not wasteful)
#6 Industry “Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.” (devoted activity at any work or task)
#7 Sincerity “Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.” (genuine, honest)
#8 Justice “Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.” (rightfulness or lawfulness)
#9 Moderation “Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.” (avoidance of extremes or excesses)
#10 Cleanliness “Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation." (habitually clean, neat, and pure)
#11 Tranquility “Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable." (calmness; peacefulness)
#12 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.” (condition or quality of being pure)
#13 Humility (modest opinion of one's own importance) “Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” (modest opinion of one's own importance)
Discuss. Do people naturally have these virtues, or must they be acquired? Are these virtues old-fashioned? Do we need them to thrive in today’s society? Make a list of 13 virtues you think Americans live by in the 21st century. (You may use some of Franklin’s if you want or come up with others.)
Franklin’s Record Keeping "I 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. I crossed these columns with thirteen red lines, marking the beginning of each line with the first letter of one of the virtues, on which line, and in its proper column, I might mark, by a little black spot, every fault I found upon examination to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day.” S M T W F Temperance * Silence Order ** Frugality Industry Sincerity Justice Moderation Cleanliness Tranquility Chastity Humility
How would you feel about keeping records of your mistakes like this? Discuss. How would you feel about keeping records of your mistakes like this?
Duration of His Plan “I entered upon the execution of this plan for self-examination, and continued it, with occasional intermissions, for some time. I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of faults than I had imagined; but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.” “ To avoid the trouble of renewing… my little book… scraping out the marks on the paper of old faults to make room for new ones…, became full of holes, I transferred my tables and precepts …., lines were drawn with red ink...” “ After a while I went thro' one course only in a year, and afterward only one in several years, till at length I omitted them entirely, being employed in voyages and business abroad, with a multiplicity of affairs that interfered; but I always carried my little book with me.”
His Schedule
Discuss. What does a typical 24 hours look like for you? Do you make good use of your time? Do you waste any time? Compare your schedule with someone next to you.
Franklin’s Final Conclusions “…my faults in it vexed me so much, and I made so little progress in amendment, and had such frequent relapses, that I was almost ready to give up the attempt, and content myself with a faulty character in that respect, like the man who, in buying an ax of a smith, my neighbor, desired to have the whole of its surface as bright as the edge. The smith consented to grind it bright for him if he would turn the wheel; he turned, while the smith pressed the broad face of the ax hard and heavily on the stone, which made the turning of it very fatiguing. The man came every now and then from the wheel to see how the work went on, and at length would take his ax as it was, without farther grinding. " No," said the smith; " turn on, turn on; we shall have it bright by and by; as yet, it is only speckled." "Yes," says the man, "but I think I like a speckled ax best." “…I exacted of myself might be a kind of foppery in morals, which, if it were known, would make me ridiculous; that a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance.”
What became Franklin’s focus in the end? In so many words, he basically directed his day with the two questions from his daily schedule. The Morning Question - What good shall I do this day? Evening Question - What good have I done today?
I am going to have you unscramble a paragraph about the virtues I am going to have you unscramble a paragraph about the virtues. Just write the numbers of the sentence in the order that you think is correct. Our parents always made us think that we were not poor, that the reason we didn't have all those material things was because we didn’t need them. Happiness came from relying on ourselves, knowing who we were, and loving one another. We were told if we would work hard, we would get them, but we did not rely on material goods for our happiness. When I'm in trouble, I go back to those thoughts — they keep me going. Whenever I think about my family, I think about how strong they were.
The Correct Order is… 1, 3, 2, 5 ,4 What virtue was this about? Our parents always made us think that we were not poor, that the reason we didn't have all those material things was because we didn’t need them. We were told if we would work hard, we would get them, but we did not rely on material goods for our happiness. Happiness came from relying on ourselves, knowing who we were, and loving one another. Whenever I think about my family, I think about how strong they were. When I'm in trouble, I go back to those thoughts — they keep me going. What virtue was this about? FRUGALITY
Another Paragraph Unscrambling - Just write the numbers of the sentence in the order that you think is correct. A bad bean can spoil the pot, Mama always said. Good food, like a good life, doesn't just happen. How often do we try to replicate a wonderful recipe and forget a key ingredient, or burn the meal? How true this is in life. It takes planning (Do I have a good recipe?), preparation (the right ingredients?), and mindfulness (Am I in a loving mood, so that the meal is delicious?). Of course, we can improvise at times with great success, but first we must know the basic rules, the recipes of the kitchen and for living.
The Correct Order is… 2, 5, 6, 3, 1, 4 What virtue was this about? Good food, like a good life, doesn't just happen. It takes planning (Do I have a good recipe?), preparation (the right ingredients?), and mindfulness (Am I in a loving mood, so that the meal is delicious?). Of course, we can improvise at times with great success, but first we must know the basic rules, the recipes of the kitchen and for living. How often do we try to replicate a wonderful recipe and forget a key ingredient, or burn the meal? A bad bean can spoil the pot, Mama always said. How true this is in life. What virtue was this about? ORDER
Another Paragraph Unscrambling - Just write the numbers of the sentence in the order that you think is correct. "No, we're not interested," they would say, even if the items were things we needed. Integrity was something very important to them, even when people were doing bad things in the barrio. My parents always taught us that you had to be honest. My parents knew these things were stolen. Their lessons about honesty and integrity have really made me who I am. Their message to us was, "We're not going to support that dishonest behavior. We're going to work for the things we need." There were some families who would give up their strong values about right and wrong in order to make quick money. Where we grew up, people often resold stolen items to get money, often to buy drugs.
The Correct Order is… 3, 2, 7, 8, 4, 1, 6, 5 My parents always taught us that you had to be honest. Integrity was something very important to them, even when people were doing bad things in the barrio. There were some families who would give up their strong values about right and wrong in order to make quick money. Where we grew up, people often resold stolen items to get money, often to buy drugs. My parents knew these things were stolen. "No, we're not interested," they would say, even if the items were things we needed. Their message to us was, "We're not going to support that dishonest behavior. We're going to work for the things we need." Their lessons about honesty and integrity have really made me who I am.
Another Paragraph Unscrambling - Just write the numbers of the sentence in the order that you think is correct. Don't ever confuse the opportunities you receive because of the position your dad holds with who you are and who your father is." For myself, I've learned when I get to go to the White House, or when I receive special recognition, it isn't because I am Lucille Roybal-Allard. I remember my dad saying to us, "Never forget where you came from and remember these opportunities you have are a result of my office. I’ve had some tremendous role models in my Mom and Dad. It is the position that provides me with the opportunity to do certain things. It's because I am a congresswoman. The opportunities we did have because of my father’s position as a member of Congress, such as going to hotels, going to banquets, things other kids in our neighborhood didn't do and couldn't do, also instilled in us a sense of humility.
The Correct Order is… 4, 7, 3, 1, 2, 6, 5 I’ve had some tremendous role models in my Mom and Dad. The opportunities we did have because of my father’s position as a member of Congress, such as going to hotels, going to banquets, things other kids in our neighborhood didn't do and couldn't do, also instilled in us a sense of humility. I remember my dad saying to us, "Never forget where you came from and remember these opportunities you have are a result of my office. Don't ever confuse the opportunities you receive because of the position your dad holds with who you are and who your father is." For myself, I've learned when I get to go to the White House, or when I receive special recognition, it isn't because I am Lucille Roybal-Allard. It's because I am a congresswoman. It is the position that provides me with the opportunity to do certain things.
Now, put these paragraphs in order. I have this image of him, at seventy-nine, carrying a ninety-pound roll of roofing material up a thirty-foot ladder to the roof of my house. I was driving up and I saw him do this. My heart almost jumped out of my mouth. I didn't even know he was going to do it. He told me, "The rains are coming and it's time to re-roof the house." My father loved work. He said there was fulfillment in it. From him I learned that work gives our life meaning: It's how we learn, it's how we perfect our will. How can we achieve anything without building our will, strengthening our will to get up every day to work and to complete something? If somebody came to visit, my father would put them to work, every chance he had. When my friends came over, he would put them to work. He'd say, "Okay, let's go pull these weeds, let's go move these boxes and cans, let's go harvest some corn." What I remember is that everybody got into it, everybody liked it. Work wasn't a chore in the way my father presented it. It wasn't a burden. There was satisfaction and fulfillment in achieving and completing something. I did learn that from him.
The Correct Order is…2, 3, 1 My father loved work. He said there was fulfillment in it. From him I learned that work gives our life meaning: It's how we learn, it's how we perfect our will. How can we achieve anything without building our will, strengthening our will to get up every day to work and to complete something? If somebody came to visit, my father would put them to work, every chance he had. When my friends came over, he would put them to work. He'd say, "Okay, let's go pull these weeds, let's go move these boxes and cans, let's go harvest some corn." What I remember is that everybody got into it, everybody liked it. Work wasn't a chore in the way my father presented it. It wasn't a burden. There was satisfaction and fulfillment in achieving and completing something. I did learn that from him. I have this image of him, at seventy-nine, carrying a ninety-pound roll of roofing material up a thirty-foot ladder to the roof of my house. I was driving up and I saw him do this. My heart almost jumped out of my mouth. I didn't even know he was going to do it. He told me, "The rains are coming and it's time to re-roof the house."
We are going to be looking for Franklin’s 13 virtues in our reading. You will also look for the virtues in some SSR reading. Bring a book, magazine, etc. if you would like. I will also have some books for you to choose from.
Unscrambled Paragraphs from It’s All in the Frijoles Temperance – pg. 193 Silence – pg. 140 Order – pg. 242 Resolution – pg. 67 Frugality – pg. 244 Industry – pg. 71 Sincerity – pg. 141 Justice – pg. 236 Moderation – pg. 189 Cleanliness – pg. 271 Tranquility – pg. 208 Chastity – pg. 264 Humility – pg. 172
Bibliography http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/autobiography/index.htm http://dictionary.reference.com/ http://bensguide.gpo.gov/images/ben/ben_fried.gif