Character Quote by Gretchen Rubin
![“[Benjamin Franklin]identified thirteen virtues he wanted to cultivate--temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility--and made a chart with those virtues plotted against the days of the week. Each day…” quote by Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb9/gretchen-rubin-867_character_benjamin-franklin-identified-thirteen-vi_1250862.jpg)
“[Benjamin Franklin]identified thirteen virtues he wanted to cultivate--temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility--and made a chart with those virtues plotted against the days of the week. Each day, Franklin would score himself on whether he practiced those thirteen virtues.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1791
Franklin created a daily self‑assessment system to track practice of thirteen moral virtues, encouraging consistent personal improvement.
In simple terms: He used a weekly chart to monitor virtue habits.
Key Takeaway
Track virtues daily for growth.
Themes
self‑improvement
habit formation
morality
discipline
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
practical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- daily journaling
- morning reflection
- habit tracking apps
- coaching sessions
Key Concepts
virtue ethics
self‑monitoring
personal accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance self‑assessment with self‑compassion?
- Which virtues matter most to you now?
A Different Perspective
Self‑rating can become obsessive, reducing flexibility.
