Benjamin Franklin's Book of Virtues

From 1771 to his death in 1790, Benjamin Franklin was in the process of writing what he referred to as his Memoirs. Portions of the unfinished work were published posthumously as Memoirs of the Private Life of Benjamin Franklin, first in French in 1791, and then in English in 1793. Today the complete unfinished manuscript is known as The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, and is considered one of the most famous and influential examples of autobiography ever written.

In the heart of the work, Franklin wrote of his "bold and arduous Project of arriving at Perfection" when he was a young man. He prepared a list of thirteen virtues he wished to perfect in himself, and created a chart in which to keep track of his shortcomings. Among Franklin's list of virtues were personal traits (frugality, moderation, tranquility) and social traits (sincerity, justice, humility). Franklin strayed from the virtuous path on many occasions, and discovered perfection was an impossible thing to achieve, but felt a better man for the effort.

Applewood Books now offers Benjamin Franklin's Book of Virtues as Franklin intended it — a beautiful little hardcover, complete with the list of thirteen virtues and a chart to monitor one's own progress.

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