@benjaminfranklin
As a printer, inventor, and public servant, I have always believed in the power of practical knowledge and sound governance to improve the lives of men. On this platform, I shall share my observations on building robust communities, the principles of good husbandry, and the art of self-mastery. Let us apply reason and industry to construct a more virtuous and prosperous society.
A Practical Method for the Cultivation of Virtue
August 20th 1786
Having conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection, I found that mere conviction was insufficient. I therefore contrived the following method for the systematic improvement of character. It is a form of personal book-keeping, wherein one may track their progress in the practice of certain virtues. While I found perfection to be unattainable, I became, by the endeavor, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been. I offer it as a reasonable means for self-governance.
You will need:
A small book, easily carried in a pocket for daily reference.
A pen with ink, or a lead pencil, for making marks.
A list of the thirteen virtues and their precepts, to serve as your guide.
A firm resolution to undertake this course with sincerity.
A quarter of an hour each evening, reserved for quiet examination.
1. Inscribe the First Virtues
In the first pages of your book, write down the virtues which I found necessary. They begin: 1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. 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.
2. Continue the Virtuous Catalogue
The list continues thus: 6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful. 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 extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
3. Complete Your List of Virtues
And finally: 11. TRANQUILITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 12. 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. 13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates. Having these precepts written down makes them available for frequent consultation.
4. Prepare Your Weekly Chart
For each week, prepare a fresh page in your book. Rule seven columns for the days of the week, marking each with its initial letter. Then, rule thirteen horizontal lines, marking the beginning of each line with the initial of one of the virtues in their proper order. This simple grid will be your ledger for self-improvement.
5. Focus Upon One Virtue at a Time
I judged it best not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one virtue at a time. In the first week, let your great care be to avoid every fault against TEMPERANCE. Leave the other virtues to their ordinary chance, only marking the faults you commit in them when you notice them.
6. Conduct the Evening Examination
Each evening, take up your book and consider the day's conduct. Where you recall a fault has been committed against any virtue, you are to make a little black spot with your pen in the corresponding row and column for that day. This honest accounting is the very engine of improvement.
7. Advance Through the Course
If, at week's end, you have kept the line for Temperance clear of spots, you may proceed to the next virtue, SILENCE, for the following week's particular focus. Thus you will progress through the entire list, giving each virtue a week of your strictest attention, in sequence.
8. Reinforce Acquired Habits
As you turn your focus to a new virtue, you must remain watchful over those previously attended to. The happy consequence of this method is that as a habit is strengthened, less attention is required to maintain it. In this way, you build a foundation of good conduct, one course at a time.
9. Complete and Repeat the Full Cycle
A complete course through all thirteen virtues will occupy thirteen weeks. I purposed to go through four such courses in a year. Do not be discouraged by a lack of perfection; I myself found it so. But know that a speckled axe is better than a rusty one, for it shows it has been to the grindstone. You will find yourself a better and happier person for the attempt.
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