-
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 employed 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 extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as
you think they deserve.
-
Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or
habitation.
-
Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common
or unavoidable.
-
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.
Franklin did not try to work on them all at once. Instead, he would work on
one and only one each week "leaving all others to their ordinary chance".
While Franklin did not live completely by his virtues and by his own
admission, he fell short of them many times, he believed the attempt made
him a better man contributing greatly to his success and
happiness.
