Benjamin Franklin seemed to have life figured out, and so if there's anyone who could cook up a list of resolutions, it would be him. I will share with you his list of virtues and their precepts:
1. TEMPERANCE
Eat not to Dulness
Drink not to Elevation.
2. SILENCE
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation.
3. ORDER
Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time.
4. RESOLUTION
Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5. FRUGALITY
Make no Expence but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
6. INDUSTRY
Lose no Time. -- Be always employ'd in something useful. --Cut off all unnecessary Actions.--
7. SINCERITY
Use no hurtful Deceit.
Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak; speak accordingly.
8. JUSTICE
Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your Duty.
9. MODERATION
Avoid Extreams. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS
Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Cloaths or Habitation. --
11. TRANQUILITY
Be not distrubed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY
Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dulness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or another's Peace or Reputation. --
13. HUMILITY
Imitate Jesus and Socrates. --
Father of Light and Life, thou Good supreme,
O teach me what is good, teach me thy self!
Save me from Folly, Vanity and Vice,
From every low Pursuit, and fill my Soul
With Knowledge, conscious Peace, & Virtue pure,
Sacred, substantial, neverfading Bliss!
(The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790)
3 comments:
I liked number 4 of Ben's resolutions. seeing that I had none it leaves me off the hook.
mr. franklin has a fine list there. i noticed, though, that "fly a kite in the middle of a thunderstorm" wasn't on it. I'd like to see his list the year he pulled that little stunt.
a Ben Frank testimonial
When I was at the height of my Franklin craze in university (I had the jersey, all his albums, the posters) I thought I would try and live according to his "daily schedule". The Franklin virtues, I felt, were a little beyond me, but I thought that "[prosecuting] the present study" would be a pretty good way to start the day. I definitely had the 4 hours of sleep down, but I think it never took mostly because watching Fight Club at 3 am was too hard to justify.
The Morning - What good shall I do this day?
5am-9am: Rise, wash, and address Powerful Goodness! Contrive day's business, and take the resolution of the day; prosecute the present study, and breakfast.
9am-12pm: Work
Noon
12pm-3pm: Read, or overlook my accounts, and dine.
3pm-6pm: Work
Evening - What good have I done today?
6pm-7pm: Put things in their places.
7pm-9pm: Supper. Music or diversion, or conversation.
9pm-1am: Examination of the day.
Night
1am-5am: Sleep.
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