The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
By Benjamin Franklin
"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" is one of the most influential memoirs in American history, chronicling the life of one of America's founding fathers from his humble beginnings to his rise as a prominent statesman, inventor, and diplomat.
Written between 1771 and 1790, Franklin's autobiography offers intimate insights into his personal philosophy, self-improvement methods, and the historical context of colonial America. The work remains a timeless blueprint for self-made success and embodies the American spirit of ingenuity, industry, and civic virtue.
Mind Map
Franklin's 13 Virtues
In his pursuit of moral perfection, Franklin developed a system of 13 virtues. He would focus on one virtue each week, tracking his progress daily in a small book with a page for each virtue. Below are all 13 virtues with Franklin's own descriptions.
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."
6. Industry
"Lose no time; be always employ'd 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; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
10. Cleanliness
"Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation."
11. Tranquility
"Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
12. 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."
13. Humility
"Imitate Jesus and Socrates."
"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... I cross'd out every fault I found upon examination; and I could go thro' a course compleat in thirteen weeks, and four courses in a year."
— Benjamin Franklin, on his system for tracking his adherence to the virtues
Key Highlights
These are some of the most notable passages from "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" that capture his philosophy on life, self-improvement, and civic virtue.
"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... I cross'd out every fault I found upon examination; and I could go thro' a course compleat in thirteen weeks, and four courses in a year."
On his system for developing the 13 virtues
"I grew convinced that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life."
On the importance of honesty
"In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself."
On the challenge of overcoming pride
"So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do."
On human rationalization
"I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into."
On his quest for moral perfection
"Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day."
On the nature of happiness
"Reading was the only amusement I allowed myself. I spent no time in taverns, games, or frolics of any kind; and my industry in my business continued as indefatigable as it was necessary."
On his work ethic and self-discipline
"I have always thought that one man of tolerable abilities may work great changes, and accomplish great affairs among mankind, if he first forms a good plan, and, cutting off all amusements or other employments that would divert his attention, makes the execution of that same plan his sole study and business."
On focus and dedication
"For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise."
On intellectual humility and growth