Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues

Steppenwolfe · Nov 17, 2019

I have known about these for years, but at the wise old age of 61 I figure I could use a tune up on my social skills. Something here for everyone to ponder in themselves.

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; i.e., waste nothing.

Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, 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, cloaths, or habitation.

Tranquillity. 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.

Industrial Toys · Nov 17, 2019

Apparently he was quite the womanizer. And totally ignored his poor wife, if those accounts are true.

Steppenwolfe · Nov 17, 2019

Industrial Toys said:
Apparently he was quite the womanizer. And totally ignored his poor wife, if those accounts are true.

Lot's of that going on in D.C. these days.

Jim Nelson · Nov 17, 2019

I read an interview years ago and the person being interviewed said "power, which leads to money, is the strongest aphrodisiac ever". I don't remember who it was that said it but it sure is true.

Industrial Toys · Nov 17, 2019

It was a good Biography of the man that I saw maybe a year or so ago. A lot of things I never heard in relation to the man.

Above post. Kissinger said that I believe.

the old grind · Nov 17, 2019

Nice post. Thank you. :thumbsup:

Ben Franklin wrote: "Take care of the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves."

(btw, Abraham Lincoln wrote: "You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income." and "You cannot establish security on borrowed money.")

We might expect that such silly notions would be called out as sheer nonsense in today's more refined, digital economic system, and by a presumably wiser contemporary understanding of 'the basics of sound financing' on any level from personal to business.

. . :laughing:

But seriously, and in the Spirit of what built this great nation ... I insist that Mr Franklin was America's original Renaissance Man.

Add to it that he was surely the greatest goodwill ambassador-abroad for our Country of his Century, if not ever.

The gentleman was comfortable among paupers or Presidents, and they with him. Could he have been a 'greatest man ever to decline' continued urging to run for president? :scratchchin: