Virtue’s Victory

        Benjamin Franklin shared much wisdom through his extensive writing. Among his treasured truths are thirteen virtues he considered necessary or desirable. Our culture would do well to emulate them. They are as follows with his brief note regarding each.

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 place; 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 for others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6. Industry. Lose no time, be always employed 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 extremes; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed by trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or injury to your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

        Franklin didn’t leave anything to chance in his attempt to master the thirteen virtues. He devised a “method” to expunge each bad habit one week at a time, and he recorded his progress in a “little book.” Even when traveling he carried the little book with him.

        His English might be awkward, but the virtues are clear. Consider writing your own book of virtues. What things are you intransigent on, things that guard your emotions and guide your many decisions . 

        To Franklin morality and success were inseparable. He thought they were a means of making one happier. He was right on both points.

        It takes a constant effort to rid ourselves of unpleasant or bad habits and no less effort to develop good and beneficial habits. Constant efforts regarding both are worthwhile. This is true in every aspect of life, cardiovascular health, nutritional health, and ever personal relations. You have a responsibility for you like no one else. Don’t neglect yourself.

        Of all disciplines one of the most challenging is self-discipline. A progression including it is found in Scripture.

        “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (II Peter 1:5-9).

        There, like the crown jewel in the middle of those virtues is self-control. In the Bible, self-control is a virtue that involves regulating thoughts, words, actions, and desires. It’s also known as “self-discipline” or “temperance” (Proverbs 25:28). Note, self-control is linked with perseverance. It is one thing to have self-control, but that control must remain engaged in the activation of perseverance. Without perseverance the objective can’t be reached.

         The Bible also gives a graphic of self-control: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” ( Proverbs 25:28).      

        Be a wall builder that your virtues may be sustained.