The Benjamin Franklin 13-Week
Self Improvement Challenge
Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues
Franklin
Tracked 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 thirteen virtues
continued to be relevant today. Next to each virtue is Francklin's definition.
1.
Temperance
“Eat not to dullness”
2.
Silence
“Speck not but what may
benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.”
3.
Order
“Let all your thing have
their places. Let each part of your business have its time.”
4.
Resolutions
“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.”
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. For bare resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
10.
Cleanliness
“Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.”
11.
Chastity
“I would never do anything that would disrespect my wife.”
12.
Tranquility
“Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
13.
Humility
Like “Socrates”
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!
