Life in General

Thirteen Virtues by Ben Franklin

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Benjamin Franklin wrote Thirteen Virtues when he was 20 years old and apparently used them as guiding principles the rest of his life. Not shabby for a 20-year-old, but then hey, he was Benjamin Franklin!

  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 extremes; forbear resenting injuries
    so much as you think they deserve.

  10. CLEANLINESS
    Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, 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.