Autobiography of Ben Franklin Establishing YOUR dream What drives us to search for perfection?

“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?

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

13 cont. 11. Tranquility Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. Chastity 13. Humility Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Do you suppose his plan was successful? Explain.

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.

Connotations Words+-0Why? 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

21 st Century Skills Making the Virtues count

Order What different parts of our lives need order?

Industry What can you cut out of your life to be more industrious and improve your output?

Frugality 21st century skill—Why is personal finance important?

Ben and Arthur start age 19; 27 Both save $2,000 per year at 12%. Ben starts at age 19 and stops at age 26. Arthur starts at age 27 and stops at age 65. AND ARTHUR NEVER CATCHES UP TO BEN! Ben InvestsArthur Invests $2,000$2,240$0 $2,000$4,749$0 $2,000$7,558$0 $2,000$10,706$0 $2,000$14,230$0 $2,000$18,178$0 $2,000$22,599$0 $2,000$27,551$0 $30,857$2,000$2,240 $0$34,560$2,000$4,749 $0$38,708$2,000$7,558 $0$43,352$2,000$10,706 $0$48,554$2,000$14,230

Ben and Arthur end at age 65 $0$1,035,425$2,000$682,851 $0$1,159,676$2,000$767,033 $0$1,298,837$2,000$861,317 $0$1,454,698$2,000$966,915 $0$1,629,261$2,000$1,085,185 $0$1,824,773$2,000$1,217,647 $0$2,043,746$2,000$1,366,005 $0$2,288,996$2,000$1,532,166 Arthur NEVER catches up… Why is saving important even as a teenager? Originally invests: $16,000 Originally invests: $74,000

Your budget… ExpensesBudgetActual spent (optional column) Car payment Gas money Car insurance Entertainment Saving Giving Total: _______

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.