Great Qualities According to Ben Franklin

"The body of Benjamin Franklin, like the cover of an old book (its contents torn our and stripped of its lettering and gilding), lies here… food for worms.  But the Work shall not be wholly lost.  For it will, as he believed, appear once more in a new and more perfect edition--corrected and amended by the Author."  quote from a B. Franklin memorial.

Having read numerous biographies on Franklin, I can attest that he was an amazing gentleman (google some of his accomplishments).  Of significance (for today's post), is that he sought to cultivate his character by a plan of 13 Virtues… which he developed at the age of 20 (in 1726)!  He supposedly continued to practice them--in some form--for the rest of his life (considering that he assimilated with the "late night" "salon life" of the French, during his years as a diplomat).  I list them here, as "food for thought".  Franklin's autobiography lists his 13 Virtues as:

1.  Temperance - Eat not to dullness; 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 expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e.: waste nothing.
6.  Industry - Lose no time; be always employed 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 extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation.
11. Tranquility - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. 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.
13. Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.