In the various enumerations of the moral virtues I had met with in my reading, I found the catalogue more or less numerous, as different writers included more or fewer ideas under the same name. For this purpose I therefore contrived the following method. I concluded, at length, that the mere speculative conviction that it was our interest to be completely virtuous, was not sufficient to prevent our slipping and that the contrary habits must be broken, and good ones acquired and established, before we can have any dependence on a steady, uniform rectitude of conduct. While my care was employ’d in guarding against one fault, I was often surprised by another habit took the advantage of inattention inclination was sometimes too strong for reason. But I soon found I had undertaken a task of more difficulty than I bad imagined. As I knew, or thought I knew, what was right and wrong, I did not see why I might not always do the one and avoid the other. I wish’d to live without committing any fault at any time I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into. It was about this time I conceiv’d the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. INTRODUCTION NEEDED The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (Excerpts)
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