At the age of 20, United States' founding father and $100 bill centerpiece Benjamin Franklin developed 13 virtues toward his "arduous project of arriving at moral perfection." Wishing to live "without committing any fault at any time," Franklin sought to reach perfection by pursuing temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. After defining right and wrong, he wrongly assumed that choosing between them would be simple and soon dubbed his task exasperating. Bad habits are difficult to break and even for one of our country's intellectual ancestors, sometimes "inclination was too strong for reason." Franklin's convictions persevered - "I concluded that it was our interest to be completely virtuous … that contrary habits must be broken and good ones acquired and established."
Just like Franklin, I believe that my climb up the Mt. Olympus of morality will surely be a strenuous one, but achievable. My diligence may not be up to the level of the famous inventor and statesman, but even he thought his "industry" needed improvement. I also acknowledge the probable lack of interest of The Heights' readership in my personal growth, so I shall try not to exhaustively indulge with autobiographical accounts.
Instead of focusing on me, I plan to raise everyone's morality level by revealing how others have failed to accomplish Franklin's virtues. From Nick Nolte's infamous mug shot's revolt against cleanliness to Lil' Wayne's lack of concern for humility, people in the spotlight give us an overabundance of dreadful examples on which to build our moral character.
These words aren't exclusively meant for criticism of course - I wholeheartedly hope that the mistakes of celebrities will serve as the foolish child burning his hands on the scalding stove for us, so we can not only keep our hands away from troubles, but also constructively build on the miserable realities of others.
Franklin knew his laundry list of virtues was too much to work on simultaneously, so he worked on one virtue each week and left "all the others to their ordinary chance." I plan to do the same, exploiting the considerable shortcomings of other individuals for the benefit of my mood and quest for moral perfection.
My hunt for others' deficiencies will be thorough. No one should feel safe from my gaze. Oft-perceived role models and persons of honor will be fully scrutinized. I will be ruthless and unapologetic. So until next time, acknowledge right and wrong, strive to utilize reason instead of inclination even when you are tempted. Moral perfection is not far away - especially when so many people just love to screw up.
Spring Break
