A page divided into days
Franklin’s chart records faults against the virtues across a week. The small marks make patterns visible over time.
Framework · A CLOSER LOOK
Benjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues
ABOUT THIS FRAMEWORK
Thirteen named virtues and a tracking method from Franklin’s autobiography.
A CLOSER LOOK
The story behind it.
Thirteen named virtues and a tracking method from Franklin’s autobiography.
Order proves difficult
His account admits difficulty with order. The attempt’s imperfections are part of the story he tells about trying to establish habits.
START HERE
Read Franklin’s autobiography (opens in a new tab)Source for Benjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues: Read Franklin’s autobiography.
Sources for this closer look
Read Franklin’s autobiography (opens in a new tab)Background & references (opens in a new tab)Explore the original.
Follow the original source to explore the work in its own context.
Sources & credits
Introductions are grounded in the sources below. Collection notes and reading prompts provide an editorial starting point; personal opinions are identified in the collection’s content.
KEEP EXPLORING
Discover the person. Follow the work.
PersonBenjamin Franklin
Selected work associated with Benjamin Franklin.
START WITHBenjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues
HistoryCharacter
IdeaDeliberate practice
An explicit comparison between daily self-examination and structured efforts to improve; the two are not identical methods.
EXPLORE THIS WORKAnders Ericsson
LearningPractice
FrameworkThe Pyramid of Success
Two named frameworks for cultivating conduct through repeated practice.
EXPLORE THIS WORKJohn Wooden
LearningLeadership
BookThe Power of Habit
Connect a modern account of habits with Franklin’s method of observing daily conduct.
START WITHExplore the original
LearningPsychology