Sunday, March 28, 2010

SMART COOKIE

In his late 20s, Benjamin Franklin listed THIRTEEN VIRTUES that he felt were important guides for living.

Pretty smart cookie for 20 something!

I have been thinking a lot about this. I sometimes get side tracked in the world - of things! I am a little obsessive when I Love something (like painting furniture). So to keep a balance I am trying to spend as much time on good things ( not that painting furniture isn't good) or should I say the important things.

I have made my own list of 13 virtues (added to or stole Ben's ideas, they are good)

Here are his:

PERSONAL

TEMPERANCE: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
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.
MODERATION: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
INDUSTRY: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
CLEANLINESS: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
TRANQUILITY: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

SOCIAL

SILENCE: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
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.
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.
HUMILITY: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

2 comments:

Kaija said...

You're the most perfect person I know! You follow all those virtues and more! You're such a great example. I want to be Melanie Greaves when I grow up!

Paige said...

haha join the club Kaija, she's a pretty awesome lady. :)

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