Many years ago, I read the book, “Benjamin Franklin, an American life“ by Walter Isaacson. It was a fascinating book about one of the most famous Founding Fathers of our country. He was a wise man who lived as a scientist, inventor, diplomat, business strategist and writer.
Thomas Jefferson called him “the greatest man of his age” and George Washington described him as “the Great Philosopher.”
Franklin was a learned man who strived always to grow in knowledge and behavior. He made many contributions to the improvement of mankind in his 84 years of life. Many of his anecdotes can be found in this country’s history and literature.
Isaacson’s book is a most interesting read.
As I often think of each passing year and the new one approaching, I always strive to seek some improvements down this path I walk, and a review of Franklin’s virtues is a good source.
In “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” too, he lists 13 virtues ~ ‘Virtues are character traits considered morally good and valued for their ability to promote individual and societal well-being’.
Admittedly, old habits are tough to break, but Franklin’s advice was to concentrate on the improvement of each virtue. He provided a sense of a virtue’s worth as follows:
“What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.” (Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1751)
I am often reminded of these ‘virtues’ as we approach a New Year of traveling around the sun. I would like to share them with you. Give yourself a grade on how well you are doing.
1 ~ Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Franklin enjoyed eating I’m thinking, but for sure this is good advice for most folk. He even wrote a letter to Madame Gout complaining about his arthritic malady of the joints that affected him; Ms. Gout even advised him he should be more careful with what he ate. Smile!
2 ~ Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. For sure, too much talking is not a benefit; our political folk would be wise to join in review of this virtue.
3 ~ Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. Do you ever use a new year to organize your files, and thoughts about your life and surroundings?
4 ~ Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. Any procrastination at your house? Do you make any excuses on timely resolutions of what needs done?
5 ~ Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. Waste, I believe, is a major failure of our government’s oversite of our tax dollars as illustrated in the recent state of Minnesota’s fraudulent use of federal dollars. Do you waste anything i.e. water, food, gas, electricity etc.? Waste not and want not is some good advice.
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. Do you know anyone who needs to read this one a second time?
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.
In reviewing the above list, you should see that Franklin was always seeking ways to improve his character. And for sure, there are many areas to consider in improving one’s self, if that is the established goal.
We often make mistakes as we travel this grand highway of life, and perhaps it is true that ‘wisdom’ arrives at the end.
If so, Franklin leaves us with this final thought.
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander Time; for that’s the Stuff Life is made of.”– (Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1746)
Happy New Year friends!
