Sunday, 1 June 2008

I mostly stayed home reading the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Among other interests and achievements, he monitored his adherence to thirteen Virtues he defined 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: 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 speak accordingly;
8. Justice - wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty;
9. Moderation - avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries;
10. Cleanliness - tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation;
11. Tranquillity - be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable;
12. Chastity - use venery never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation;
13. Humility - imitate Jesus and Socrates.