How did I discover Ben Franklin's program, you ask? Since I'm working on self-improvement, I must be honest, no matter how embarrassing it might be. The bathroom. Yes, the bathroom... and Reader's Digest. I believe I'm like a lot of other people...I do a lot of reading in the bathroom. Reader's Digest is usually my book of choice. There's always lots of interesting things in there!
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I was reading a book excerpt from "Ben and Me" by Cameron Gunn in Reader's Digest. It's bascically a humorous tale about a guy trying to live by Franklin's virtues. I figure if he can do it, so can I, right?
Let me lay out the 13 virtues Ben believed was a "bold and arduous project arriving at moral perfection."
- 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 for 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 piece of reputation
- Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates
So, this week's virtue is Temperance. It's only Tuesday, so I'll let you know how I'm doing with that later in the week.
Wish me luck!!
