Franklin explains in his Autobiography his Project for Moral Perfection. He decided as a youth that he should try to become as perfect as he possibly could in thirteen character traits he described in his book. He worked on this project all his life, and I believe he did become practically perfect in most things.

One of the traits he wanted to develop was that of Order, which he defined as “Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”

Of all his listed traits, he said this one gave him the most trouble. But then look at all he accomplished in spite of that trouble!

His problem with this quality or habit, reminded him of a story of a man who wanted to buy an ax. He told the blacksmith that he wanted the ax to be as bright as could be, not only on the edge. The Smith said he would be glad to make the whole thing as bright as the edge if the man would turn the grinding wheel used to brighten it.

The buyer agreed. He turned the wheel. The Smith pressed hard. The heavy pressure made the wheel difficult to turn. The man grew weary. He stopped turning the wheel from time to time to see how bright the ax was becoming. The tired man finally said enough. He would take the ax as it now was.

The Smith replied, but now it is only a speckled ax. And the man responded: “Yes, but I think I like a speckled ax the best.”

Isn’t that how it goes. As far as perfecting our own characters, we simply like to keep a few faults. We like the speckled ax the best!