Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues

Benjamin Franklin (13 –week)

              Self-Improvement (challenge)

 

Benjamin Franklin 13 times

Franklin treated 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.        Temperature

“ 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.”