Mission & Academics Blog
Striving for Virtue: What We Can Learn from the Imperfect Lives of Our Founding Fathers
Here it is—another busy morning, and I have not yet written this week’s blog. I have struggled all week trying to come up with a worthy topic. And then, it happened. I had the most engaging book discussion with BA parents, and I cannot stop thinking about our conversation. Our group dove into Jeff Rosen's The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America, exploring how America's founders viewed happiness not as mere pleasure but as a deeper pursuit of virtue and moral character.
What struck me most was how the book weaves together essential virtues through historical figures. We only examined the first six chapters so far: Order (Washington's leadership), Temperance (Franklin's systematic approach to self-improvement), Humility (the Adams family's dedication to moral integrity), Industry (Jefferson's lifelong commitment to learning), Frugality (Wilson and Mason's practical wisdom), and Sincerity (Wheatley's powerful voice for justice). Rosen shared how seriously these historical figures worked to achieve virtue, but he also showed their considerable failures and flaws. We learned of their struggle, and for me, that was the inspiring part.
I think we were most awed when we explored Jefferson's reading list. His intellectual curiosity spanned from Locke to Cicero, showing how classical philosophy shaped early American thought. We all agreed that Franklin's famous list of virtues—from temperance to humility—still offers practical guidance for personal growth today.
One relevant takeaway was the founders' view that personal virtue and civic responsibility go hand in hand. In our age of consumerism and instant gratification, their understanding of happiness as living a life of purpose and moral character feels especially important.
But another huge takeaway for all of us was the ability of these men to read, reflect, consider, listen, and potentially adjust their positions on a topic. They were humble enough to want to keep growing and learning. They were not afraid to alter their perspective…. They were thinkers, and they spent their lives seeking after truth. Getting at the truth seemed more important to them than always being right.
It’s true the men were hypocritical at times. Their actions did not always match their words, and the author never hesitated to point that out. It is disappointing but human. Slavery, debt, and other serious failings punctuated their lives. But there always seemed to be a willingness to struggle—to be better and to learn more. We learn from their strengths and their weaknesses.
As our morning wrapped up, we reflected on how foundational virtues—order, temperance, humility, industry, frugality, and sincerity—remain timeless guideposts for both personal fulfillment and societal well-being.
I left our discussion reminded that true happiness isn't found in pursuing pleasure but in cultivating character. In Rosen's exploration of our founders' wisdom and frailties, we found insights that feel remarkably relevant to modern life.
