Thirteen Virtues from Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography
- Temperance. Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.
- Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoiding 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. 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. 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.