The Pursuit of Moral Perfection

by Alexander Green

A number of exceptional men and women were present at the founding of the United States. Few, however, matched the sheer genius of Benjamin Franklin.

He was a printer, postman, scientist, musician, inventor, author, activist, statesman and diplomat. He was a major figure in the history of physics, discovering new theories of electricity. He invented bifocals, the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer and the glass harmonica. He formed the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.

Franklin was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. He was our first ambassador to France, an early abolitionist, and a key player at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Yet in the second half of his life, after building the most successful publishing empire in colonial America, he scaled back his career in order to devote most his time to learning, civic activities and philanthropy.

When his mother expressed puzzlement, he explained to her, "I would rather have it said, 'He lived usefully,' than 'He died rich.'"

Franklin decided to pursue what he called "moral perfection," a phrase that, in today's world, may sound proud, pompous, sanctimonious... or unrealistic. But Franklin believed the new republic could survive only if the people were virtuous. It was widely reported that at the close of the Constitutional Convention a woman in the crowd called out, "Mr. Franklin! What kind of a government have you given us?"

He replied, "A Republic, Madam, if you can keep it."

He was right. Witness how fledgling democracies often falter in nations where there is widespread hatred, mistrust, or ethnic rivalries.

Franklin rejected the religious austerity of his Puritan parents, however. Instead he spent much of his life seeking the "codes of behavior" that would help him and his fellow Americans live meaningful lives in an uncertain world.

Over the years, he devised a plan to cultivate his character by 13 virtues. His autobiography - a literary classic and paean to the value of education, thrift, honesty and hard work - lists these virtues as:

"Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
"Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
"Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
"Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
"Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
"Industry. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
"Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
"Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
"Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
"Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation."
"Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
"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."
"Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."
Franklin insisted it was too ambitious to tackle all 13 virtues at once. Instead he advocated working on one and only one virtue each week, then repeating the process after 13 weeks.

A realist, Franklin conceded that he often fell short of these standards. Yet he said just the attempt made him a better man and contributed greatly to his success and happiness.

In his autobiography, Franklin wrote, "I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit."