Wisdom In All Things Special Series
You could say that Ben Franklin’s 13 virtues were an attempt to fill in what he thought was missing from a 5-part sermon on Philippians 4:8:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
The preacher’s “dry, uninteresting, and unedifying” preaching aside, Franklin could not understand how this passage could be taught and not “a single moral principle… inculcated or enforced.”
His disillusionment was at least partly responsible for his conceiving of “the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection… [wishing] to live without committing any fault at any time, and to conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.”
It did not take Benjamin Franklin long to realize the extreme difficulty in attempting to live a life of perfection, despite the best intentions, earnest planning, and meticulous execution. One could only hope that such a zeal would go viral–infecting all who would seek to apply these virtues, if not the latter portion of this letter to the Philippian church.
A wise life is a virtuous life. There is an expectation of behavior from someone who claims to be wise, and it would very much look like a life that is exemplified by the characteristics highlighted by this great American statesman.
So it is with that portion of Paul’s letter and Ben Franklin’s pursuit in mind that we cover these virtues in a special, 13-part series over the course of the year.
What This Virtue Means
When most people hear the word temperance, they immediately think of abstinence—especially from alcohol. But Franklin meant something broader and far more practical.
He defined Temperance as:
“Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
Temperance is not about denial for its own sake. It is about restraint that preserves clarity.
Franklin understood that excess—whether in food, drink, pleasure, or appetite—clouds judgment, weakens discipline, and undermines the ability to live wisely. Temperance, then, is the virtue that keeps our desires within bounds so that our reason and purpose remain intact.
In this sense, temperance is not suppression, but self-command—choosing the “sweet spot” between indulgence and deprivation.
Why Franklin Practiced It
Franklin placed Temperance first in his list of virtues for a reason.
He believed that clarity of mind was foundational to every other virtue. Without temperance, progress in the remaining virtues would be compromised. As he saw it, excess dulls perception, weakens resolve, and invites disorder.
Temperance, therefore, was strategic.
By practicing restraint, Franklin sought to:
- maintain mental sharpness
- strengthen self-control
- reduce unnecessary temptation
- create stability for moral growth
In Franklin’s system, temperance cleared the ground so that wisdom could take root. It wasn’t about moral superiority—it was about creating conditions for growth.
Modern Examples of Temperance
Temperance is no less relevant today—perhaps even more so.
Modern life constantly presses us toward excess:
- endless consumption
- constant stimulation
- reactive indulgence
- emotional overuse of comfort, food, media, or distraction
Practicing temperance today might look like:
- stopping before you’re full rather than eating to excess
- limiting alcohol or screen time to preserve clarity and presence
- resisting impulse purchases driven by emotion rather than need
- choosing rest over overstimulation
In each case, temperance protects something deeper: attention, judgment, peace, and freedom.
Want a simple way to practice the virtues the way Franklin did?
Download the free printable virtues chart and weekly habit tracker—modeled after Franklin’s original system.
“Coolness and Clearness of Head”
What probably comes to mind immediately when you read the word temperance, is abstinence. And, specifically related to alcohol.
Abstinence can be necessary. But that only half defines temperance, and can lead to an extreme, and unnecessary, application of the word. What is “not abstinence” and “not indulgence”, but moderation? Somewhere between “all and nothing” is temperance. Temperance implies a sweet spot. Not too much, AND, not too little. Each extreme is understood and necessarily avoided. It is a life in balance, requiring control and intentionality.
A dictionary definition pushes the idea of “moderation”, describing temperance as “moderation in action, thought, or feeling: RESTRAINT”, and “habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions.”
Aristotle affirms the positive when discussing the virtue of temperance as being equidistant from the extremes: “In the same way that courage is a mean between extremes of response to fear; temperance is a mean between extremes of response to pleasure.”
Benjamin Franklin believed that temperance “tends to procure that coolness and clearness of head which is so necessary where constant vigilance was to be kept up, and guard maintained against the unremitting attraction of ancient habits and the force of perpetual temptations.”
Finding the Sweet Spot
Being sober-minded (“coolness and clearness of head”) allows us to remain focused (avoid the extremes), persistent (remain vigilant), and in control (decisive restraint), all for the sake of the sweet spot that is temperance.
Qualified.
What is the sweet spot? To be sure, it is avoiding the obvious extremes, and that which so easily entangles us, in order to serve and protect ourselves and those we love, and fulfill the influential role we are to play. That is the space it occupies, but the qualities, or what “qualifies” it as being the sweet spot are characteristics listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.
While this list describes the qualities that must be evident in the life of an elder in a church, they at the same time identify the characteristics of anyone desiring to be temperate:
- be above reproach
- sober-minded
- self-controlled
- respectable
- hospitable
- able to teach
- not a drunkard
- not violent but gentle
- not quarrelsome
- not a lover of money
- manages his own household well
Arguably, these qualities are what would result, or flow from a life that has a “Philippians 4:8” mindset. They seem to outline a life that is temperate.
Disqualified.
The Apostle Paul actually provides both inspiration and instruction regarding temperance, in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
To not exhibit the qualities indicated above would seemingly “disqualify” us from being temperate, and would mean that how we act is not contradicted by what we say. Our moderation, or restraint, should be evident in our speech as well as our behavior. This is where vigilance is required in order that we remain in the sweet spot, but that our speech aligns with our actions and thereby lessen the likelihood of our being “disqualified”.
How to Practice Temperance This Week
Franklin did not attempt to master temperance all at once. He practiced it deliberately, one week at a time, with honest observation.
Here’s a simple way to begin:
- Choose one area of excess
Food, drink, screen time, spending, or emotional indulgence. - Observe rather than judge
Note when restraint fails—without excuses or condemnation. - Practice restraint intentionally
Aim not for elimination, but moderation. - Reflect at week’s end
What patterns emerged? What cost did excess carry? What freedom did restraint offer?
Temperance grows through awareness before it grows through habit.
Download the exact habit-tracking chart Benjamin Franklin used to pursue the 13 virtues.
This free, printable PDF gives you the (modernized) chart Franklin used to track his progress toward moral growth, designed to help you slow down, pay attention, and cultivate better habits one week at a time.
Photo by Mona Eendra on Unsplash