Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues
As I make my way through a biography about Benjamin Franklin's life I can't help but wonder how a single person can achieve so much and reach such high levels of notoriety. The man was a living legend yet he managed to remain incredibly down to earth throughout his life. When he was 20 he wrote down a list of 13 virtues which he then used to guide his life. I think there's a lot to be learned from the young mind of one of the most accomplished founding fathers.
1. Temperance: eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: speak not but what may benefit other or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution: resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e. waste nothing.
6. Industry: lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: use no hurtful deceit; think innocently & justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. Tranquility: be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity: rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. Humility: imitate Jesus & Socrates.
Perhaps we can all learn a virtue or two from young Benjamin.
1. Temperance: eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: speak not but what may benefit other or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order: let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution: resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality: make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e. waste nothing.
6. Industry: lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity: use no hurtful deceit; think innocently & justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice: wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation: avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. Tranquility: be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity: rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. Humility: imitate Jesus & Socrates.
Perhaps we can all learn a virtue or two from young Benjamin.
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