Nirvana

Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography is a good read, tracing his life in detail from research to business to politics. That he was a versatile, multi-faceted genius is obvious, you only need to look at his accomplishments at Philadelphia’s Ben Franklin Museum. He had a way with words like Thomas Hardy !

Listed below are the thirteen virtues that Ben strived to adhere to. He focused on only one virtue every week and tracked his progress in a little book marking a black spot for every offence. Each cycle was thirteen weeks long before he started all over again.

He had listed the first twelve virtues and added in ‘Humility’ at the suggestion of his friend who thought he was proud.

• 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, 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.

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