In Ben Franklin’s autobiography he discusses the reoccurring theme of self-betterment, or improving one’s current situation for the better. It was this idea of “following the American Dream” in one’s life to make it more enjoyable and satisfying. In the early to late seventeenth century the focus of colonial life was on the doing of good works to get in God’s good graces and to have salvation. But during the time of Benjamin Franklin which is during the eighteenth century this idea of remaining in God’s good graces still remains, but there is a slight shift in thinking to more of an individualistic stand point. People started to care a little more about what makes them happy and what can benefit them just a little more. Ben Franklin is the model of how this idea of self-betterment advances. In his autobiography, he shows his commitment to self-betterment in his determination to rise out of his social class as a child, the writing of his 13 virtues, and his many public works for self improvement.

As a child Ben Franklin was born into the common class of society, Ben showed a keen intellect at a young age but was removed from school and put to work in the candle and soap

As Franklin becomes known for his intellect, debating skills and writing capabilities he decides to write what is known as the 13 Virtues to help the his fellow colonist achieve better moral perfection. Feeling that he was not completely perfect, but he was happy, he wanted to better society by giving them a list of virtues that they should strive to achieve, in an the attempt to better themselves morally. These virtues include: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity, and Humility. Ben made a schedule indicating that someone should try to achieve one virtue a week to achieve moral betterment. Franklin listing these virtues is kind of hypocritical because to write a list of virtues for people to following is going against the virtue of Humility, and replaces it with vanity, showing that Ben thought he was now about the normal class of people. But as far as Franklin was concerned, as long as it was bettering the lives of some individuals than it was a just cause. This exemplifies Franklin’s determination to help the people help themselves become better people. This was Ben’s second step in self betterment, improving the self morally.

Franklin then moves on

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