Franklin's 13 Virtues

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].
  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 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; forbear resenting injuries so much
    as you think they deserve.
  10. CLEANLINESS
    Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, 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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