The Benjamin Franklin 13- Week Self- Improvement Challenge
Energy and persistence
conquer all things.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues
Franklin
tracked his progress on charts he created. The first letter of each day was
listed on the top and the first letter of each virtue was indicated down the
left side. He would add a dot if he felt he fell short of meeting that virtue
on a given day. Benjamin Franklin carried these charts with him as a reminder
of his personal plan of conduct.
The
following 13 virtues continue to be relevant today. Next to each virtue is
Franklin’s definition.
1.
Temperance
“Eat not to dullness.”
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. Forbear resenting
injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
10.
Cleanliness
“ Tolerate no uncleanness in
body, clothes or habilitation.”
11.
Chastity
“I would never do anything that would
disrespect my wife.”
12.
Tranquility
“Be not disturbed at trifles, or at
accidents common or unavoidable.”
13.
Humility
“Be not disturbed at trifles, or at
accidents common or unavoidable.”
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