富兰克林对道德的主要理解：
1.因为有德行的人才能事业成功、诸事顺利；有德行的人去服务公众、报效国家，才能保证公众福祉和国家利益不受损害，所以要注重个人道德品行。
2.理论上相信道德并不能制止错误的发生，唯有培养和建立好习惯，才能依靠正直稳固的行为举止来防范和杜绝错误。所以《高效能人士的七个习惯》作者史蒂芬·柯维认为自己的理论构建于富兰克林的基础上是很有道理的。
《道德完善计划》13条
(1)Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
一、节制：食不过饱，饮不过量。
(2)Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
二、缄默：言则于人于己有益，不作鸡毛蒜皮的闲扯。
(3)Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
三、条理：物归其位，做事之前制定时间表，按照计划，在相应的时间内完成应该做的事情。
(4)Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
四、决断：做事应该果断，不要拖泥带水，一旦决定就要付诸行动，还要坚持到底。
(5)Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
五、节俭：不要做无益的花销，杜绝不必要的浪费。
(6)Industry: Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
六、勤勉：不浪费时间，时时刻刻都要用于正经事，戒除一切不必要的行动。
(7)Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
七、诚恳：绝对不可以欺骗他人，考虑问题应公平公正，襟怀坦荡，发表观点时要有理有据，尊重事实。
(8)Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
八、正直：不做有损他人之事，不要放弃履行行善助人的义务，从而伤害他人。
(9)Moderation: Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
九、中庸：为人处事不要极端偏激，对待他人的一时发泄，应当加以宽容，不要斤斤计较、怀恨记仇。
(10)Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
十、清洁：仪表，身体、衣服和住所都应当力求清洁。
(11)Tranquility: Be not distuibed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
十一、沉着：不要因为琐事或者难以避免的不测而烦恼。
(12)Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
十二、贞节：切忌房事过度，以免伤害身体或有损自己或他人的安宁和名誉。
(13)Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
十三、谦虚：效法耶酥和苏格拉底。