Benjamin Franklin created a list of virtues that he believed would forge a life of health, wealth, and happiness.
200+ years later, the list still holds incredible wisdom...
Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues for a life well-lived:
200+ years later, the list still holds incredible wisdom...
Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues for a life well-lived:
Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues were as follows:
• Temperance
• Silence
• Order
• Resolution
• Frugality
• Industry
• Sincerity
• Justice
• Moderation
• Cleanliness
• Tranquility
• Chastity
• Humility
A quick breakdown of his words (and my interpretation) of each:
• Temperance
• Silence
• Order
• Resolution
• Frugality
• Industry
• Sincerity
• Justice
• Moderation
• Cleanliness
• Tranquility
• Chastity
• Humility
A quick breakdown of his words (and my interpretation) of each:
1. Temperance: "Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."
Exhibit self-control in your daily consumption.
2. Silence: "Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
Embrace silence and always listen intently before thinking to speak.
Exhibit self-control in your daily consumption.
2. Silence: "Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."
Embrace silence and always listen intently before thinking to speak.
3. Order: "Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."
Maintain a tidy environment and mind.
4. Resolution: "Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
Follow through on commitments. Do as you commit.
Maintain a tidy environment and mind.
4. Resolution: "Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
Follow through on commitments. Do as you commit.
5. Frugality: "Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i.e., waste nothing."
Never be wasteful.
6. Industry: "Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
Focus on meaningful, productive work. Work hard.
Never be wasteful.
6. Industry: "Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
Focus on meaningful, productive work. Work hard.
7. Sincerity: "Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
Be honest and fair. High integrity.
8. Justice: "Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
Treat others with respect and fairness.
Be honest and fair. High integrity.
8. Justice: "Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
Treat others with respect and fairness.
9. Moderation: "Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
Avoid excess in everything in life.
10. Cleanliness: "Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation."
A clean, sharp self and environment is the necessary self-respect.
Avoid excess in everything in life.
10. Cleanliness: "Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation."
A clean, sharp self and environment is the necessary self-respect.
11. Tranquility: "Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
Remain composed in all encounters.
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."
😜
Remain composed in all encounters.
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."
Remain humble in times of success and gracious in times of failure.
Remain humble in times of success and gracious in times of failure.
Benjamin Franklin used this daily tracker to check off when he had lived by each virtue (or fallen short).
He had one focus virtue each week.
He was far from perfect, but the practice was a useful grounding in the principles he believed were "necessary or desirable" to live by.
He had one focus virtue each week.
He was far from perfect, but the practice was a useful grounding in the principles he believed were "necessary or desirable" to live by.
What would be on your list of virtues for a healthy, successful life?
Follow me @SahilBloom for more.
I'm planning to write a deeper dive on this topic in a future newsletter. Join 225K+ others who will receive it here: sahilbloom.com/newsletter
Follow me @SahilBloom for more.
I'm planning to write a deeper dive on this topic in a future newsletter. Join 225K+ others who will receive it here: sahilbloom.com/newsletter
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is filled with interesting insights.
His daily routine was fascinating…
His daily routine was fascinating…
The biography of Benjamin Franklin by @WalterIsaacson is one of my favorite books.
A real must read.
A real must read.
My top 3:
Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself—avoid trifling conversation.
Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought—perform without fail what you resolve.
Industry: Lose no time—be always employed in something useful—cut off all unnecessary actions.
Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself—avoid trifling conversation.
Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought—perform without fail what you resolve.
Industry: Lose no time—be always employed in something useful—cut off all unnecessary actions.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
