"Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve"—was one of the rules for success framed by America's first "self-made" man.
Franklin's Autobiography
Vol. I, pp. 79-85
It's nice to know that even amazing men like Ben Franklin want to work on self-improvement. This excerpt from his autobiography begins with a list of thirteen virtues that Franklin wanted to work on during the year. It also outlined how he would record his progress.
Franklin discusses the challenge he finds within the virtue of Order. In fact, he calls himself incorrigible when it comes to Order. I feel the same way about another of his virtues: frugality. But, like Ben, I'm working on it.
In this selection, Franklin quotes Cicero in Latin. (Show off.) In case you are reading along with me, here is the translation:
Live one single day well. Just one. Then, move to the next one. That seems entirely possible.
One thing that stood out for me in this reading was Franklin's willingness to admit his imperfections and failures when it came to self-improvement. He acknowledges that he has fallen short many times, but that the value of his attempts is in the process rather than the success.
Franklin's Autobiography
Vol. I, pp. 79-85
It's nice to know that even amazing men like Ben Franklin want to work on self-improvement. This excerpt from his autobiography begins with a list of thirteen virtues that Franklin wanted to work on during the year. It also outlined how he would record his progress.
I made a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues. I rul’d 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.That's right. Ol' Ben Franklin was bullet journaling way before the hipsters were.
Franklin discusses the challenge he finds within the virtue of Order. In fact, he calls himself incorrigible when it comes to Order. I feel the same way about another of his virtues: frugality. But, like Ben, I'm working on it.
In this selection, Franklin quotes Cicero in Latin. (Show off.) In case you are reading along with me, here is the translation:
O philosophy, life’s guide! O searcher of virtues and expeller of vices! Just a single day lived well and according to your lessons is to be preferred to an eternity of errors.It's funny how quickly I skimmed over that quote when reading. Not that I could have done much else, having never studied Latin. But when I returned to the text, I did seek out the translation. And in doing so, found the thesis of Franklin's virtue philosophy.
Live one single day well. Just one. Then, move to the next one. That seems entirely possible.
One thing that stood out for me in this reading was Franklin's willingness to admit his imperfections and failures when it came to self-improvement. He acknowledges that he has fallen short many times, but that the value of his attempts is in the process rather than the success.
But, on the whole, tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it;And that, my friends, will be my motto and inspiration for this Harvard Classics project I am beginning.
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