From Benjamin Franklin's autobiography…
My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I judged it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I should have gone through the thirteen; and, as the previous acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others, I arranged them with that view, as they stand [below].
- 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 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; 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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