Founding Fatherfest

Benjamin Franklin's List of Virtues Which he Attempted to Master

• 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 employ'd 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 extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
• CLEANLINESS: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
• TRANQUILLITY: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
• 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.
• HUMILITY: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.