Final answer:
Benjamin Franklin began his moral perfection with the virtue of Temperance because he believed in exercising self-control and avoiding excessive indulgence in alcohol.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benjamin Franklin began his moral perfection with the virtue of Temperance because he believed that self-control over one's desires and impulses was essential for leading a virtuous life. Franklin saw temperance as a foundational virtue that would enable him to better cultivate other virtues, such as sincerity, mercy, and tranquility. By practicing temperance, Franklin aimed to exercise restraint in his actions and avoid excessive indulgence in alcohol, which he believed could lead to moral and physical harm.