Tranquility, temperance, determination or cleanliness are some of the 13 Virtues that Benjamin Franklin proposed at the time. We explain what they all are and what they consist of.
Benjamin Franklin was without a doubt one of the most influential politicians of the 18th century. However, he considered one of the “Founding Fathers of the United States” also became famous for writing all kinds of scientific books such as ” Experiments and Observations on Electricity” along with numerous autobiographical accounts until his death in 1790.
In most of them, he talked about the “Thirteen Virtues” that he tried to follow throughout his long life and which we will talk about in the next article. We explain what those thirteen virtues of Benjamin Franklin are below.
The 13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin
Temperance
“Don’t eat your fill; never drink to exaltation”
Benjamin Franklin believed that virtue was in the middle, something that would allow good men to make calmer and calmer decisions always thinking of the common good.
Silence
Speak only what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid petty conversations. “
This American political scientist bet on silence every time a discussion or dispute was meaningless. Otherwise, we will only try to give our point of view without any result causing a great sense of stress and anguish. Feelings that are ultimately very harmful to our physical and mental health.
Order
“That all your things have their place. May all your affairs have their moment”?
What is the point of putting all our strength into something that we know has no solution? Sometimes we insist that things turn out the way you want. However, we do not realize that perhaps it is not the right time for it. Hence, it is better to put our ideas in order and then act accordingly.
Determination
“Resolve to do what you should do; carry out without fail what you solved”.
Human determination and will are capable of moving mountains if we really put our mind to it. Therefore, if we really believe that with our actions we can change the world, nothing and no one should stop us from our efforts.
Frugalidad
“Spend only on what brings good for others or for you.”
Acting for the common good has more benefits than we think. We will make others appreciate us more because we have acted for their benefit and well-being. While at the same time this will make us feel better about ourselves.
Diligence
“Don’t waste your time. Get busy with something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions”.
Time is something very precious that we must take care of with great suspicion. If we waste it, we will also be despising our life. This is a gift that the universe has given us to always do well and enjoy every moment to the fullest.
Sincerity
“Do not use deceptions that can hurt, think innocently and fairly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
The truth is one of the virtues of the human being that will help you feel completely free. We own our words and therefore it is very important that they adhere to the reality that we are telling at all times.
Justice
“Do not hurt anyone with insults or omitting to deliver the benefits that are your duty”
Without justice we would stop being human beings to become mere savages. Our facts are what define us as people. And therefore we must always be fair to others and enrich ourselves only through our own creations.
Moderation
“Avoid extremes; refrain from insults for resentment as much as you think they deserve”.
Putting yourself in either extreme will only cause us to have a distorted view of reality. For this reason, we always have to look for the middle ground (as we have explained in the first point). In this way, nothing will exalt us and we will take any opinion as valid.
Cleaning
“Do not tolerate the lack of cleanliness in the body, dress or room”
Cleaning in any area of our lives means that in the long term we are more “clean of spirit” people.
Peace of mind
“Don’t be bothered by trifles or by common and unavoidable accidents.”
Everything in this life has a solution except death. And if in the end you realize that this problem has no way out either, you just have to stay calm and wait for a new opportunity that comes your way in life.
Chastityi
“He seldom frequents sexual pleasure; only do it for health or descent, never out of boredom, weakness or to injure the peace or reputation of yourself or another person.”
Many times we have the preconceived idea that through sex and the mere fact of practicing it with anyone, we will become happier people. However, this can sometimes have the opposite effect as handing over our privacy to someone we don’t really like will only cause our self-esteem to deteriorate.
Humanity
All that we have described in all points can be simply summed up in the virtue of humanity. A premise that must be in all the hearts of men and women until the end of days.
