"Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices." - Benjamin FranklinI was an odd kid; the kind who read The World Book Encyclopedia for enjoyment. I bought Poor Richard's Almanac by Benjamin Frankin with money I earned babysitting. Poor Richard's Almanac was a treasure trove! I loved the smattering of aphorisms, poems, weather forecasts, & miscellaneous tidbits! I was absolutely a "Tidbits" kind of kid!
Benjamin Franklin tried to cultivate his character by the 13 Virtues listed at left. He didn't try to work on all of the Virtues at once. Instead, Franklin would work on one each week "leaving all others to their ordinary chance."
While Franklin didn't live completely by his virtues and by his own admission, he fell short many times, he believed the ATTEMPT made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness. Below is his list with Franklin's elaboration on each Virtue...
1. TEMPERANCE: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
2. SILENCE: Speak not but what may benefit others of 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 employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. SINCERITY: Use no hurtful deceit' think innocently and 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 and Socrates.
