What Good Shall I Do This Day? Journal

 A Journal Inspired by Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin began each day by asking himself, in the pages of his journal, “What good shall I do this day?” and returned, at the end of the day, to ask himself the “evening question”: “What good have I done to-day?” This handsome faux-leather journal invites modern diarists to contemplate the good they can do in their everyday lives using Benjamin Franklin’s own daily questions, and to think about their lives in the way that Franklin thought about his. 

This journal features 365 undated entries and includes 75 quotations drawn from Franklin’s life and writings, as well as an informative and delightful introduction detailing the specific ways that Franklin used his journal, and how he made it central to his life.  Also included is a facsimile of a template page of Franklin's journal, a list of Franklin's 13 ideal virtues, and pages for notes. Use this journal to brainstorm, set intentions, and reflect on your accomplishments.

The journal is bound in handsome red faux leather with gold embossing. 

Franklin was a moral pragmatist who, instead of embracing a formal religion, came up with a list of 13 virtues that he felt embodied the essence of a moral life.  His notebook was the record of his attempts to incorporate these virtues into his daily life. He designed a daily schedule for himself in order to maintain discipline over his time; printed on each page, next to 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. were the two questions. 

Some of the Franklin quotations included in the journal:

"Today is yesterday's pupil."

"To pour forth benefits for the common good is divine."

"Knowledge is obtained by the use of the ear rather than the tongue."

"Human felicity is produced by little advantages that occur every day."

"Without steadiness or perseverance no virtue can long subsist."

"Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man."

5.5" x 7.25" x 1". 340 pages.

Also see our cuff with the same quote: What Good Shall I Do This Day? Cuff Bracelet