In a couple of books that I've read, reference has been made to Benjamin Franklin. As I have previously (unapologetically) admitted, my knowledge of history is rather embarrassing. Obviously, I had heard of Benjamin Franklin; where he fitted into the bigger scheme of American history, I did not quite know.
One of the key lessons for me from his autobiography was his list of virtues that he wanted to incorporate more into his life. He made a table, listing 13 virtues, and each week he would focus on one, then the following week he would focus on the next one, including the previous week's one. So ultimately, by the end of week 13, he was doing and focussing on them all.
The virtues that he identified for himself were:
1. Temperance: eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation
2. Silence: speak not but what you may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation
3. Order: let all your things have their place; 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. Tranquillity: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accident common or unavoidable
12. Chastity
13. Humility: imitate Jesus and Socrates
This sounded like a great idea, so I have drawn up my own virtues table.
This is an autobiography that I highly recommend everyone reads.
No comments:
Post a Comment