Sunday, July 03, 2005

Benjamin Franklin's Goals of Virtue


Temperance : Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
Silence : Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid 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; that is, 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; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think 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.