12 years ago our mamma read that Benjamin Franklin attributed most of his success to practicing 13 virtues to the best of his ability.
Apparently, for a large portion of his life, he carried around in his pocket a card of a table with each of the seven columns representing a day of the week, and each of the 13 rows representing one virtue he wanted to work on.
Mamma completed a challenge to work on each of these virtues based on what Benjamin Franklin reportedly did. Since spring is a great time for renewal, mamma is going to do this practice once again.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. - Benjamin Franklin.
Apparently, for a large portion of his life, he carried around in his pocket a card of a table with each of the seven columns representing a day of the week, and each of the 13 rows representing one virtue he wanted to work on.
Mamma completed a challenge to work on each of these virtues based on what Benjamin Franklin reportedly did. Since spring is a great time for renewal, mamma is going to do this practice once again.
Here are Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues:
Source: PBS
Throughout the day, review the card to keep the virtues fresh in mind. At the end of each day, go through the virtues, and reflect if they were actually practiced during the day, and mark the box if so. The goal is to fill in as many boxes as possible, and each week, start with a blank card.
The point is for the virtues to became more and more ingrained in our character. Naturally practicing them more, according to Benjamin Franklin, helped him become a well-rounded successful person and a better participant in society.
| 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 uncleanness 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. |
Throughout the day, review the card to keep the virtues fresh in mind. At the end of each day, go through the virtues, and reflect if they were actually practiced during the day, and mark the box if so. The goal is to fill in as many boxes as possible, and each week, start with a blank card.
The point is for the virtues to became more and more ingrained in our character. Naturally practicing them more, according to Benjamin Franklin, helped him become a well-rounded successful person and a better participant in society.
What a superb practice for self-improvement. If you don't want to try this challenge using his 13 virtues, of course, try it with the virtues you hold dear. It is designed to help lasting improvement in specific areas of your life.
May your week be inspiring and transforming!
Purr & Paw,
-Stivali. 🐾
