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!
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TEMPERANCE
Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. -
SILENCE
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself;
avoid trifling conversation. -
ORDER
Let all your things have their places;
let each part of your business have its time. -
RESOLUTION
Resolve to perform what you ought;
perform without fail what you resolve. -
FRUGALITY
Make no expense but to do good to others
or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. -
INDUSTRY
Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful;
cut off all unnecessary actions. -
SINCERITY
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly,
and if you speak, speak accordingly. -
JUSTICE
Wrong none by doing injuries,
or omitting the benefits that are your duty. -
MODERATION
Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries
so much as you think they deserve. -
CLEANLINESS
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation. -
TRANQUILITY
Be not disturbed at trifles,
or at accidents common or unavoidable. -
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. -
HUMILITY
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
