Saturday, February 25, 2012

Franklin...................


Back in 1977 I purchased a paperback copy of The Autobiography
of Benjamin Franklin.  This little book has followed me faithfully,
from move to move, ever since.  Franklin being one of my heroes, 
occasionally it gets picked up and thumbed through.  As James
O'Donnell Bennett says in the frontispiece quote, it is "An intimate
document, sinewy, naive and shrewd, direct from the hand of the
most versatile of the founders of America's greatness."  

Suspecting that most readers of this blog will be familiar with
Franklin's 13 virtues, it seemed a fair idea to post them again.
It should be noted that Franklin never claimed success in
mastering these.  As Captain Barbossa might say, think of them  
more as guidelines than strict rules.  Enjoy:
  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, cloaths, 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.

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