Question

In this section of his autobiography, Franklin discusses one of his projects. Read the passage, then answer the question.

My intention being to acquire . . . these virtues, I judg'd it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I should have gone thro' the thirteen; and, as the previous acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others, I arrang'd them with that view, as they stand above.

–The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin,
Benjamin Franklin

Which statement best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

Franklin provides step-by-step instructions for improving morality.
Franklin plans to improve his character one virtue at a time.
Franklin lists the most important virtues in his life and explains them.
Franklin wants to convey what readers should do to improve their own lives.

Answer 1

Franklin plans to improve his character one virtue at a time.

He describes his personal strategy of focusing on one virtue at a time, mastering it, then moving to the next, arranging them so some help in acquiring others.