1. In Franklin’s plan for self-perfection, he listed thirteen virtues that should be practiced. Similar to an experiment, Franklin attempted to practice every virtue without fault, and when an error was made, he would take note of it in his journal. Franklin finds that it is nearly impossible to live out the virtues without making mistakes. Franklin eventually comes to a point where he is ready to give up, finding that perfection was not easy to obtain. Franklin also discovers that some virtues were more difficult to master than others such as, Order, which he claims he never accomplish in old age. Franklin comes to the conclusion that even with ambition, he could not reach his goal of perfection. However, Franklin states that he is happy that he attempted perfection.
2. I think that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve me as a person; however, I do not believe it would make me perfect. Franklin addressed his experiment for perfection as more difficult than he thought because he was more full of faults that he had ever imagined. I know that I would fall very short of perfection due to my many faults. Though, I do think that people should practice these virtues, all while understanding and accepting mistakes. My top virtues are as follows: temperance, chastity, humility, order, and silence.
