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Ben Franklin's precepts
In doing some research (responding to Jerry Michalski's Facebook question, where he asked who today is most like Ben Franklin - I said Stewart Brand), I ran across a list of Benjamin Franklin's moral precepts, which still seem pretty sound:
- TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
- SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
- ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part
of your business have its time.
- RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without
fail what you resolve.
- FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself;
i.e., waste nothing.
- INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful;
cut off all unnecessary actions.
- SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly,
and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
- JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits
that are your duty.
- MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much
as you think they deserve.
- CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths,
or habitation.
- TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents
common or unavoidable.
- CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring,
never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's
peace or reputation.
- HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
jon posted this at 9:28 AM
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