# Plan for Attaining Moral Perfection explained — The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

> Chapter companion for The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin.

## What happens

Franklin conceives a bold project to achieve moral perfection by systematically cultivating thirteen virtues. He devises a daily examination method using a little book with columns for each day and rows for each virtue, marking faults with black spots. He arranges the virtues in order, starting with Temperance, and plans to focus on one per week. A Quaker friend's observation of his pride leads him to add Humility to the list. He adopts a modest conversational style to avoid contradiction, which proves advantageous in gaining influence. The chapter also includes a preserved paper from 1731 outlining observations on parties and public affairs.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Improvement and Moral Perfection

Franklin's entire project is dedicated to achieving moral perfection through systematic cultivation of virtues and daily self-examination.

### Industry and Frugality

Frugality and Industry are among the thirteen virtues, aimed at freeing Franklin from debt and producing affluence and independence.

### Practical Wisdom and Common Sense

Franklin's method of focusing on one virtue at a time and using a daily examination book demonstrates practical wisdom in habit formation.

### Religion, Morality, and Deism

Franklin includes prayers to 'Powerful Goodness' and quotes from Addison, Cicero, and Proverbs, reflecting a deistic moral framework.

## Character check-ins

### Benjamin Franklin

Author of the plan for moral perfection; devises a system of thirteen virtues and daily self-examination.

### Josiah Franklin

Mentioned indirectly as Franklin reflects on his upbringing and the influence of his father's teachings.

## Key lines

> It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection.

Around this period, I undertook the ambitious and difficult goal of achieving perfect morality.

_Franklin introduces his plan for moral perfection._

> I made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues.

I created a small notebook, dedicating a separate page to each virtue.

_Franklin describes his method of tracking his progress._

> I determined to give a week’s strict attention to each of the virtues successively.

I decided to focus intensely on one virtue each week, one after another.

_Franklin outlines his sequential approach to habit formation._

> I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, but I had a good deal with regard to the appearance of it.

I cannot claim to have truly mastered humility, but I became quite skilled at appearing humble.

_Franklin reflects on his limited success with the virtue of humility._

## Links

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