The Art of Manliness Books, Routines, and Habits: The Founders' Guide to Self-Improvement
Join Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor and president of the National Constitution Center, as he explores the self-improvement philosophies of the Founding Fathers. He reveals how they viewed happiness as tied to virtue and personal growth, not just satisfaction. Discover the routines and self-examination practices that helped them pursue excellence. Rosen also discusses how Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues can guide modern self-improvement efforts, emphasizing that personal mastery benefits not just the individual, but society as a whole.
44:50
Pythagorean Self-Examination
- Practice daily self-examination, reflecting on your actions and how they align with your virtues.
- Strive for improvement each day, focusing on temperance, prudence, courage, and justice.
Franklin's Virtue Chart
- Benjamin Franklin tracked his progress in practicing 13 virtues with a chart, marking black dots for shortcomings.
- Despite abandoning the rigorous practice, he aimed to write "The Art of Virtue," emphasizing self-improvement.
Schedule for Self-Improvement
- Structure your day with a schedule for self-improvement activities.
- Develop habits of waking up early and dedicating time to reading and personal growth.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Philosophical Foundations of Self-Improvement
02:53 • 18min
Promotional Highlights: Tools, Flavors, and Streaming Solutions
20:54 • 3min
Exploring Franklin's Virtues and the Art of Self-Examination
24:14 • 3min
Virtues and Personal Growth of Founding Fathers
26:57 • 19min
Pursuing Personal Virtue for Societal Flourishing
46:11 • 2min
Wrapping Up Insights on Self-Improvement
48:31 • 2min
Essays on the principles of morality and natural religion
Henry Home Lord Kames
In 'Essays on the Principles of Morality and Natural Religion', Lord Kames discusses the principles of morality and justice, countering moral skepticism and addressing the issue of human will. The work also delves into metaphysics and epistemology, offering a natural theology that emphasizes the trustworthiness of sense perceptions as a basis for belief in a benevolent Deity.
The Philosophical Works of the Late Right Honorable Henry St. John, Lord Viscount Bolingbroke
Henry St. John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke
The Philosophical Works of Henry St. John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, is a five-volume set published in 1754. It reflects his philosophical studies during his exile in France, where he engaged with Enlightenment ideas and developed a system of morality grounded in natural law and reason. His works had significant influence in the American colonial period, particularly on figures like Thomas Jefferson.
Conduct of the Understanding
John Locke
John Locke's 'Of the Conduct of the Understanding' is a philosophical treatise that emphasizes the importance of rational thinking and the proper use of the mind in acquiring knowledge. Originally intended as a chapter for his 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', it was published posthumously in 1706. The work provides insights into Locke's views on logic, error prevention, and the cultivation of a rational mindset.
The golden verses of Pythagoras
Pythagoras
The Golden Verses of Pythagoras is a collection of maxims and ethical teachings attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. These verses offer practical guidance on living a virtuous life, emphasizing self-control, moderation, and the pursuit of wisdom. They promote harmony between body and soul, reason and passion. The verses advocate for daily self-reflection and the cultivation of virtues such as justice, temperance, and courage. Their influence on the Founding Fathers is evident in their emphasis on self-improvement and the pursuit of virtue.
Seneca's Essays
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Seneca
Seneca's essays are a collection of philosophical writings that explore various aspects of Stoic philosophy, including virtue, happiness, and the management of emotions. Seneca emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with nature, cultivating inner peace, and accepting what is beyond our control. His writings offer practical advice on overcoming adversity, managing anger, and finding contentment. Seneca's emphasis on self-mastery and the pursuit of virtue resonated with the Founding Fathers, influencing their approach to self-improvement and governance. His works continue to inspire readers seeking wisdom and guidance on living a meaningful life.
The Pursuit of Happiness
How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America
Jeffrey Rosen
Essays
None
Michel de Montaigne
Montaigne's *Essays* are a seminal work that introduced the essay as a literary form. The book is a personal and introspective exploration of various subjects, including the human condition, skepticism, and the importance of concrete experience over abstract learning. Montaigne's skepticism is reflected in the title *Essais*, meaning 'Attempts' or 'Tests', indicating a project of trial and error and tentative exploration. The essays cover topics such as the education of children, the role of the body, illness, aging, and death. Montaigne's writing style is characterized by multiple digressions, anecdotes from ancient and contemporary sources, and quotations that reinforce his critical analysis of reality[2][5][4].
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth[2][4][5].
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
Tusculan disputations
Cicero
Cicero's 'Tusculan Disputations' is a philosophical work exploring various aspects of human life, including death, grief, and the nature of good and evil. The dialogues delve into Stoic principles, examining how to achieve inner peace and resilience in the face of adversity. Cicero's eloquent prose and engaging style make complex philosophical ideas accessible to a wider audience. The work remains a significant contribution to Stoic thought and continues to inspire readers today. It offers practical guidance on navigating life's challenges.
A lot of self-improvement advice and content feels empty. And there's a reason for that. It often offers routines and habits to practice, but doesn't offer a strong, overarching reason to practice them.
That's why the self-improvement advice of the Founding Fathers is particularly compelling. Though they were imperfect men, they had a clear why for trying to become better than they were. For the Founders, life was about the pursuit of happiness, and they equated happiness with excellence and virtue — a state that wasn't about feeling good, but being good. The Founders pursued happiness not only for the personal benefit in satisfaction and tranquility it conferred, but for the way the attainment of virtue would benefit society as a whole; they believed that political self-government required personal self-government.
Today on the show, Jeffrey Rosen, a professor of law, the president of the National Constitution Center, and the author of The Pursuit of Happiness, shares the book the Founders read that particularly influenced their idea of happiness as virtue and self-mastery. We talk about the schedules and routines the Founders kept, the self-examination practices they did to improve their character, and how they worked on their flaws, believing that, while moral perfection was ultimately an impossible goal to obtain, it was still something worth striving for.
Resources Related to the Podcast
- AoM's series on Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues
- Ben Franklin Virtues Journal available in the AoM Store
- AoM Article: Young Benjamin Franklin’s Plan of Conduct
- AoM Article: Thomas Jefferson’s 10 Rules for Life
- AoM Article: The Libraries of Famous Men — Thomas Jefferson’s Recommended Reading
- AoM Article: The Best John Adams Quotes
- AoM Article: George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation
- AoM Podcast #366: Teach Yourself Like George Washington
- AoM Article: The Spiritual Disciplines — Study and Self-Examination
- Tusculan Disputations by Marcus Tullius Cicero
- The Golden Verses of Pythagoras
Connect With Jeffrey Rosen
