Franklin’s 13 Virtues
On occasion, I tend to re-read books that have helped me through the years. For example, I regularly re-read Dale Carnegie’s books, David Allen’s “Getting Things Done”, and others. Right now, I’m re-reading Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography. Although I don’t think he ever got around to publishing his “Art of Virtue” book, I do like reading how he applied his 13 virtues to his life. Here they are:
- Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
- Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
- Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
- Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
- Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
- Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
- Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
- Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
- Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
- Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
- Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
- 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.
- Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.