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According to Ben

 

According to Ben

According to Ben, I’m on the right path! As many know, Benjamin Franklin was an important history figure dating back to the formation of the United States. Franklin played a key role in everything from inventions, to authoring public policy which culminated in the creation of the Declaration of Independence. But Franklin also established himself as a critical thinker and devised something called his 13 virtues.

Ben’s Virtues (Juma, 2021).

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.

My virtue connection

Of the 13 virtues, I believe I find the greatest connection with order, humility, and sincerity. The reason I chose these is like why I find the connection with some of the Principle’s from Dale Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People (1964). Carnegie talks about being honest, genuine, positive, and thoughtful. Franklin’s virtues don’t veer too far from these principles, which is why I tend to see myself as a person that likes order, humility, and sincerity.

Inclusion in my daily life

If you’re going to talk the talk, then you have to walk the walk. I intend to continue applying Franklin’s virtues in my daily life by sticking to my schedule, and personal rules. My schedule keeps me in check, mainly because I have far more things going on in my life than I care to admit. That admission may cause me to reevaluate my life, which is something I also don’t have time to do at the moment. My schedule allows me to compartmentalize my actions, but it also gives me a chance to find time to reflect and meditate. Those are two important aspects of my daily schedule, and I need to make time to do them. My personal rules focus more on humility, and sincerity because I feel that they are attributable to my beliefs, and values. It is important to me to treat others well, be kind, help when and where I can, and remain grounded in my attitude. I remind myself each day how critical my success will be if I maintain a level head and give thanks to those that have given me the opportunities I have come upon. Life is a short, and wild ride. It is imperative we follow something greater than ourselves.

References

Carnegie, Dale. 1964. How to Win Friends and Influence People. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Juma, A. (2021). Retrieved from https://alyjuma.com/13-virtues/

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