Benjamin Franklin

Well, THAT was a long break! LOL! Unintended. Swept out with the tide of holiday happenings. But, I'm happy to be in the middle of January, back to our somewhat normal routine.

If any of you are celebrating Benjamin Franklin's birth anniversary tomorrow, check out this (part 1 and part 2) wonderful online video biography from Archiving Early America . We're also going to discuss Franklin's 13 virtues, copied here from his autobiography at Bartleby.com

1. TEMPERANCE.

Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

 

2. SILENCE.

Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

 

3. ORDER.

Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

 

4. RESOLUTION.

Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

 

5. FRUGALITY.

Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i. e., waste nothing.

 

6. INDUSTRY.

Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

 

7. SINCERITY.

Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

 

8. JUSTICE.

Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

 

9. MODERATION.

Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

 

10. CLEANLINESS.

Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

 

11. TRANQUILLITY.

Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

 

12. 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.

 

13. HUMILITY.

Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Comments

[jessica]

great, great! maybe we'll do a belated birthday look at Ben this week along with Martin Luther King.
thanks :)

[Ellen]

I'm glad you're back ~ completely understand the absence. It is nice to return to a routine. Thanks for the BF stuff - we'll be studying him next year.

[Denise]

Nice to see you back. Very interesting! :)