My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I judged it would be well not to distract my attention by attempting the whole at once, but to fix it on one of them at a time; and, when I should be master of that, then to proceed to another, and so on, till I should have gone through the thirteen; and, as the previous acquisition of some might facilitate the acquisition of certain others, I arranged them with that view, as they stand [below].
TEMPERANCE
Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
SILENCE
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
ORDER
Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
RESOLUTION
Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
FRUGALITY
Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
INDUSTRY
Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
SINCERITY
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
JUSTICE
Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
MODERATION
Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
CLEANLINESS
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
TRANQUILITY
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
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.
HUMILITY
Imitate Jesus and Socrates
“Before the orator can inspire audiences with any emotion,” argued Winston Churchill, “he must be swayed by it himself. When he would rouse their indignation his heart is filled with anger. Before he can move their tears his own must flow. To convince them he must himself believe.”
