Civic Virtue
Benjamin Franklin's List of Virtues
- Temperance
- Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
- Silence
- Speak not but what may benefitothers 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 employed in something useful; cut off all unecessary actions.
- Sincerity
- Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
- Justice
- Wrong none by doing injuries, or ommitting the benefits of your duty.
- Moderation
- Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
- Cleanliness
- Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloths, or habitation.
- Tranquillity
- Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
- Chastity
- Rarely use venery (sexual indulgence) but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
- Humility
- Intimate Jesus and Socrates.
Benjamin Franklin's Book of Virtues