As I have studied American history over the years, one of my favorite people from the colonial era is Benjamin Franklin. He was born in Boston in 1706, the 15th of 17 children, to a poor candle maker and had little more than one year of actual schooling. He had to go to work to earn a living when he was 12 years of age. He left Boston when he was 17 and went to New York. He couldn’t find a job, so he went on to Philadelphia, walking most of the way. His first job was as a printer. Soon he went into business for himself as a publisher, first of a newspaper then a magazine.
His first great publishing success was “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” which he started when he was 26, and later was credited with being the only printed material in every American home. This self-made man truly made a difference. He organized the first service club in America. He also founded the first national library and museum, the first patent office, the first regular police force, the first fire department, the first fire insurance company, the great Pennsylvania Hospital, and the college that would later become the University of Pennsylvania. What a career for a man who started with nothing.
After learning about Benjamin Franklin, I ordered his book “Poor Richard’s Almanac.” It is very good, especially the final two pages where he lists The Thirteen Virtues. Read and study these and you will understand why we became a great nation. In those days we truly had people with character, which is the true foundation for success.
THE THIRTEEN 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 excuse but to do good to others or yourself; 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; 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. Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no ambition to corrupt thee, no example sway thee, no persuasion move thee, to do anything which you know to be evil; so shall thou always live jollily; for a good conscience is a continual Christmas.
Until next time here is a thought I want to leave you with. The only way I ever get anything done is to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
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(Jim Davidson is an author, public speaker, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. Since its inception in the Log Cabin Democrat in 1995, Jim’s column has been self-syndicated in over 375 newspapers in 35 states. For a personalized copy of “Your Future Begins Today” send $20, which includes postage and handling, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)