Sunday, June 24, 2007

Benjamin Franklin's Thirteen Virtues

One of the things I would like to take from Benjamin Franklin are the virtudes that he tried to follow. I have a lot of work to do on most of them, but it simpler now that I have identify them.

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; 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 employ'd 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 extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10.
CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11.
TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12.
CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13.
HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.


(is there something wrong that I liked the virtudes of somebody who lived +200 years ago when slavery was still in practice?... also if you think about it, the world lives by 10 rules that were given to us +2000 and other +6000 and even longer)

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