Monday, July 18, 2011

Asset Protection Lawyer in Houston Discusses The Virtues of Ben Franklin

By: Kim Hegwood, Houston Asset Protection Attorney

He was born into a family of 17 children, the son of a poor soap- and candle-maker. When Franklin was a young man, he didn't practice much of the advice for which he later became famous. But at the age of 20, he decided to change his irresponsible ways and made four resolutions to help guide him through life toward "moral perfection":

1. He would become more frugal so that he could pay money to the people he owed.
2. He resolved to become more honest and truthful in every way he could.
3. He would be as industrious as possible at whatever task was at hand.
4. He vowed to never speak ill of any person, not even if what he might say were true, and to speak of only the good things about the people he knew.

[That last one is especially interesting, and when put into practice -- powerful.]

Franklin believed strongly in self-improvement and worked tirelessly to better himself--mentally, physically, and behaviorally. So, from his four resolutions, Franklin developed 13 virtues to live and perfect during his lifetime.

He numbered the virtues and worked on only one per week. At the end of each week, he would evaluate his progress and then move on to the next virtue. After working on the 13th virtue, he started over again with the first one. Here are his 13 virtues:

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 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; 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; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
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.

Franklin may not have achieved all these goals perfectly (and who of us has?), but what noble goals to be pursued! These are some inspiring and worthy ambitions, for sure.