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Benjamin Franklin's list of virtues
Benjamin Franklin developed a self-improvement program, according to which every week you should develop a certain virtue. There are thirteen of them on his list. This is convenient, because in one year you can go through four cycles of development for each of the items on the list.
List format: virtue | its modern interpretation
- Temperance moderation in eating and drinking
- Silence refusal of trifling discussions, talking only about important matters
- Order things need to be in place, and time needs to be set aside for business
- Resolution getting things done without procrastination
- Frugality not to spend money except for essential items
- Industry do useful things all the time, do not waste time
- Sincerity do the right thing, avoid deception
- Justice don't hurt anyone, don't do anything that could cause harm
- Moderation avoid excesses, ignore resentments
- Cleanliness to have a clean body, clothes and house
- Tranquility not to worry unnecessarily when it just doesn't make sense
- Chastity lead a moral life, do not damage your own or others' reputations
- Humility develop qualities such as kindness, forgiveness, wisdom
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