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Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues
By JLP | January 15, 2007
I remember reading this list when I was a kid. I found this list of Benjamin Franklin’s Thirteen Virtues today on Flamebright. This list was created by Franklin as his plan for “better living.” The wording is a bit old-fashioned, but the list is still interesting. Temperance and moderation seem very similar to me.
1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others 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 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. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. 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.
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Read more about the virtues here.
Topics: Personal Growth | 4 Comments »
January 16th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Uh yeah. I’m great at 7 and 11, the rest not so much.
January 16th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Interesting how “patience” is nowhere on the list.
January 16th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
I love the thirteen virtues. Actually, I love many of Franklin’s ideas. He was a man ahead of his time. A person could read his work and subscribe to his ideals, even though they’re 250 years old, and live a wonderful life.
January 18th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Good ideas, of course even Franklin couldn’t live up to them completely.