Wisdom In All Things Special Series
You might say that it was Benjamin Franklin’s disillusionment with a sermon on Philippians 4:8 that was at least partly responsible for his conceiving of “the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection” that is his 13 virtues.
A wise life is a virtuous life. There is an expectation of behavior from someone who claims to be wise. This 13-part series will seek to help us understand a life that is exemplified by the characteristics elevated by this great American statesman.
Virtue #1: “Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
Virtue #2: “Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
Virtue #3: “Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
Virtue #4: “Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
Virtue #5: “Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
Virtue #6: “Industry. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
Virtue #8: “Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
Virtue #9: “Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
Virtue #10: “Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.”
Virtue #11: “Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
Virtue #13: “Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”
“This pocket-sized hardcover edition contains all thirteen “moral virtues” as Benjamin Franklin wrote them in his memoirs, first posthumously published in 1791.”
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Benjamin Franklin’s Grand Plan
Franklin’s “meticulous execution” of his 13 virtues was embodied in a chart he developed in order to observe and quantify his growth toward perfection.
There are a number of examples of his chart available, but here is one for reference.
Whether you use this chart, or devise something yourself, it is certainly in your best interest to have some tool in place to not only keep you focused, but to establish the habit of intentional growth in those characteristics that make up the virtuous life.
Explore wisdom further:
Define Wisdom
Words of Wisdom
Scriptures on Wisdom
Old Testament Scriptures on Wisdom
New Testament Scriptures on Wisdom