To understand Franklin's self-improvement we must understand what he is trying to accomplish. He created a list of four resolutions to follow. He resolved to become more frugal so that he could save enough money to repay what he owed to others. He decided that he would be very honest and sincere "in every word and action." He promised himself to be industrious "to whatever business I take in hand." Lastly he vowed "to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a manner of truth" and to "

speak all the good I know of every body." From these resolutions Franklin created a list of thirteen virtues, which he followed systematically. These virtues if used properly were supposed to make him efficient and give him an edge in his business.

Franklin's plan is probably a little too rigid. If a person were to follow this plan exactly as stated, I feel they would die alone, rich, with no friends and having done nothing enjoyable. The person would never have taken a break, gone on vacation, or even taken a sick day. That is why I feel MODERATION is a very important virtue. I feel that if his plan is used in moderation it might be very useful.

D.H Lawrence criticized Franklin's list and created his own. The list of virtues is exactly the same it is just the definitions of the virtues that differ. "TEMPERANCE, Eat and carouse with Bacchus, or munch dry bread with Jesus, but don't sit down without one of the gods. SILENCE, Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot. ORDER, Know that you are responsible to the gods inside you and to the men in whom the gods are manifest. Recognize your superiors and your inferiors, according to the gods. This is the root of all order. RESOLUTION, Resolve to abide by your own deepest promptings, and to sacrifice the smaller thing to the greater. Kill when you must, and be killed the same: the must coming from the gods inside you, or from the men in whom you recognize the Holy Ghost. FRUGALITY, Demand nothing; accept what you see fit. Don't waste your pride or squander your emotion. INDUSTRY, Lose no time with ideals; serve the Holy Ghost; never serve mankind. SINCERITY, to be sincere is to remember that I am I, and that the other man is not I. JUSTICE, The only justice is to follow the sincere intuition of the soul, angry or gentle. Anger is just, and pity is just, but judgment is never just. MODERATION, beware of absolutes. There are many gods. CLEANLINESS, Don't be too clean. It impoverishes the blood. TRANQUILITY, The soul has many motions, many gods come and go. Try and find your deepest issue, in every confusion, and abide by that. Obey the man in whom you recognize the Holy Ghost; command when your honor comes to command, CHASTITY, Never 'use' venery at all. Follow your passional impulse, if it be answered in the other being; but never have any motive in mind, neither offspring nor health nor ev

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Approximate Word count = 1636
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)