Ben Franklin's 13 Rules of Improvement

Ben Franklin's 13 Rules for the Ultimate Man:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.


2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others for 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.