Practical applications: Ben Franklin humility Mindset
by SallyK
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Ben Franklin’s Virtues – Humility
Pride goes before a fall, says a verse in Proverbs. And humility is the opposite of pride.
I recall from the Autobiography that humility was the toughest virtue, according to Ben.
He had a lot of accomplishments to be justly proud for. His inventions helped lots of people, even saving lives with devices like the lightening rod.
And he did not profit from them in financial terms, but had given them freely without patent. Manufacturers were free to make and sell these products to help fuel the budding American economy.
The last of Ben’s 13 Virtues:
13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates
Most people can associate Jesus with humility, but what do we know about Socrates? He was a Greek philosopher who lived about 400 years before Christ.
Socrates is known indirectly, through later writings by his students (including Plato and Aristotle). He ran afoul of the Athenian government, and was ordered to drink poison, which he did. Perhaps he became too proud for, paradoxically, being wise enough to recognize his own ignorance.
Interesting that Ben would choose to remind himself of Socrates.
It is a fine line between being confident due to one’s accomplishments, and being arrogant.
Given Ben’s other virtues which all speak to balance, it’s no surprise that humility made his list of virtues to practice.
Ben is a good role model even today, more than 200 years after his passing. He showed that dedicated efforts at self-improvement can move anyone forward in their lives. Though he never achieved perfection, he accomplished a lot. America as we know it would not exist without him.
Ben Franklin’s Virtues – Part 4
Ben had a reputation for loving the ladies, at least, on a mental level. Besides beauty, he loved an active mind.
It’s easy to imagine that he felt freer to explore certain subjects with a lady. Less need to be guarded when heading into test theories and possibilities.
And it probably did make the practice of some of his virtues, on some days, easier than others.
The third group of four, of Ben’s 13 Virtues
9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve
10. Cleanliness .Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloths, 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
Again, balance plays a big role in Ben’s virtues. Moderation reflects another note on each of the other virtues. A middle path has a lot to recommend it.
Cleanliness is another form of Industry, and Tranquility another form of Silence. Chastity, another form of Temperance.
Interesting how growth is a spiral, and the themes on the wheel come back around, but in a different octave.
More to come…
Ben Franklin’s Virtues – Part 3
There’s a story about Ben, having just arrived in Philadelphia. He was walking down the street, with a long roll of bread under each arm. He’d just spent the last of his money.
Although he was 17 years old and a fugitive from his apprenticeship in Boston, his mind, it seems, was on immediate matters.
He had already been in trouble for writing letters to his brother’s newspaper under the pseudonym Silence Dogood. He impersonated a middle-aged widow to voice opinions about the establishment in Boston.
He ended up in England for a few years, then returned to Philadelphia to get down to business. The second group of his virtues reflect that focus on practical matters.
The second four of Ben’s 13 Virtues
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
Frugality and industry go together, in that the focus is on productivity. Work to bring in more business, and stop up the drain of unnecessary loss. Forward motion comes from choosing goals, then acting on them with purpose.
Similarly, sincerity and justice both point out the importance of being aware and making a conscious decision before speaking or acting. Why create ill will or problems from a thoughtless comment or action?
More to come…
Practical applications: Ben Franklin innovation self-development
by SallyK
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Ben Franklin’s Virtues – Part 2
Ben Franklin was forward thinking in a number of ways.
His self-devised program of focusing on his list of 13 Virtues, in weekly succession, was just one of his innovations. Central heating, bifocals and the lightening rod and other inventions are all attributed to his resourceful mind.
And his success in business is certainly attributable to his cultivation of his virtues. They are qualities for success. Any modern entrepreneur can benefit from this kind of self-development as well.
The first four of Ben’s 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
The first three qualities speak to balance. All things in moderation, whether they be food, drink, speaking or tidiness.
Resolution means making your word good. If you decide to do something, say you are going to do it, you owe it to yourself to follow through. Resolution brings forth self-confidence and respect.
More to come…
