Ben Franklin
From SandboxWiki
Among other great accomplishments, Ben was a self-help master. He realized thirteen virtues to help guide his life, and maintained a daily notebook to monitor his daily progress.
- Temperance - Eat not to dullness and 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 employed 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. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
- Cleanliness - Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
- 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.
- Tranquility - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
- Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Source: The Autobiography of Ben Franklin Guttenburg.org (zipped text document)