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.
TRANQUILLITY
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 the injury
of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
13.
HUMILITY
Imitate
Jesus and Socrates.
PETER SHAW, ED.
FROM “THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND OTHER WRITINGS BY BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN
