From Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography…
My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I judged it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I should have gone through the thirteen; and, as the previous acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others, I arranged them with that view, as they stand [below].
- 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 employed 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
Now go sell something.~>
Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…
Sarah L says:
Thanks for sharing these priceless virtues taught by Benjamin Franklin.
Imagine h0w wonderful, peaceful and different the world would have been IF everyone is doing his/her part well to live these divine principles daily in life.
Perhaps, one would feel a little bit of heaven on earth where every person is valued, treasured and loved the way God desires all of us to be treated us his VIP and precious child!
18 October 2010
Patrick Juul says:
It is probably not possible to know just how much, and how positively, life would change for all people if only a simple majority of us would embrace and live by these 13 virtues Franklin left behind in print. Just imagine. Inspiring, this reminder of Franklin’s wisdom. Thank you to GIVEMORE Media! Feel free to follow me on Twitter, http://twitter.com/PATKELLYJUUL. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
3 September 2010
Chris Nagle says:
Very powerful words to live by. One important point to note however: even Franklin had a difficult time living up to his virtues and although he sometimes failed, he never lost sight of them.
3 September 2010
LeAnne Williamson says:
Effective advice now just do and hold yourself accountable to it. Make it a great weekend.
3 September 2010
YasmeenTaj says:
Great!! so effective and simple as that.
20 November 2009
tom says:
cool
19 November 2009
ray chapa says:
ray chapa:
awesome… so simple yet very powerful..!!!
13 November 2009
jemima says:
thanks that was good
19 August 2009