Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues: Why They Are More Necessary Than Ever

One of the most important subjects that modern schools don’t teach is the virtues that make an outstanding human being. Among several other fundamental courses on how to live life missing from school curriculums (such as managing finances and maintaining emotional health), the teaching of virtues is completely missing.

What is a Virtue? A dictionary defines Virtue as: behavior showing high moral standards.

To live by a set of virtues is a discipline that is governed by our higher consciousness and would lift up the moral standard of our society as a whole, if everyone strived to follow. It is an important aspect of potentially living a more relaxed existence for all of us. Because we would feel safer and more peaceful as a result, knowing it is in everyone’s best interest to be a good person to each other. That is not necessarily the case today, because many lack a moral compass to guide them.

Throughout history, different religions, philosophers, and governments refined and rewrote a list of fundamental virtues to fit their constitutions and purpose at the time. Yet, in 1726, young Benjamin Franklin, at the age of 20, created a list of virtues for himself, to help him develop into the person he wanted to become. 

He wrote in his autobiography: “I propos’d to myself, for the sake of clearness, to use rather more names, with fewer ideas annex’d to each, than a few names with more ideas; and I included under thirteen names of virtues all that at that time occurr’d to me as necessary or desirable, and annexed to each a short precept, which fully express’d the extent I gave to its meaning.”

According to his autobiography, he arranged them in the order of what he believed should be achieved first before moving onto the next, and for him to work on one thing at a time. He also created a tracking journal to document his daily behavior toward each of those virtues. He was clearly committed to the character-building system he had created, and one can’t argue his accomplishments and legacy as a human being. 

Here is the list of Franklin’s 13 virtues. I’ve added my own notes on how this can be integrated in our modern way of life in a positive way:

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Similarly to Moderation (No. 9), Temperance to me is a practice of having self-control across many areas, but I think in this case, applies mostly to consuming food and drinks. It is almost common knowledge now that eating and drinking excessively harms our health considerably. And to me, the same goes for what is consumed for our mind and soul.

2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

I’m reminded of the quote by Sathya Sai Baba: “Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, does it improve the silence?”

Our daily conversations are sometimes filled with small talk — words are spoken for the sake of filling uncomfortable silence. If we want deeper conversations and genuine connections, it would make sense for us to have those types of conversations, otherwise our words will soon be regarded the same quality as background noise.

3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

To me, this is about the ability to organize — an essential skill for living a peaceful and successful life! Being able to organize things grows to become a skill to better manage time, tasks and ideas. And if you are a parent, your children’s schedules.

Without this skill, which takes patience and discipline, life would be lived in chaos without goals and plans. All of our time would be spent reacting to the continuous rise of problems, which is a direct result of a life without Order. And that creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.

4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

This is about commitment to me, which has become less and less apparent in a world that constantly sells instant gratification. The strength behind Resolution defines someone as stable, loyal and trustworthy, a quality we are all drawn to. It is also a quality that speaks to our own integrity and self-confidence — the belief in our own ability to accomplish anything by any means.

5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

We are not known for Frugality here in the U.S. When I was growing up, in China, it was a daily practice to conserve everything, from money to food to water.

Many associate Frugality with being “cheap,” but what I realized is that it has nothing to do with that. Being conscious of Frugality, to me, now, is a matter of having gratitude for what you have. They are to be cherished and not to be squandered. This is a virtue because it shows tremendous respect for everything we have worked hard for and everything we are gifted with.

6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Admittedly, this is something I am still working on. We live in a world full of distractions and temptations. Little of our time is actually dedicated to what we want to accomplish in our lifetime. Or perhaps, you might say, some of us are here to have as much pleasure as possible, in which case, we need a certain amount of Industry to sustain as well. Without focus and diligence (my take on what this Virtue is all about), we could all potentially fall under the trap of laziness, indulgence, entitlement, etc.

7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

There is such beauty in being open and genuine with our intentions, isn’t there? What would our world look like if everyone employed the virtue of Sincerity? If only we could all just speak our mind and heart ever so sincerely, we would no longer feel the need to guard against deception, manipulation or betrayal. Communication could potentially be much smoother, without the effort of having to read between the lines.

8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Fairness goes a long way and creates such a ripple effect because we human beings tend to pay it forward. Unfortunately, we also tend to do the same with the opposite – injustice. All the more reason why Justice is a virtue, and one that takes strength and integrity. It is one of those virtues that often takes place when no one is watching and can go completely unnoticed. We are each responsible to uphold our own part on an honor system. When we feel there is justice in the world, our faith in humanity is restored and we feel there is a purpose to doing good and being good.

9. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Closely related to Temperance, I think in this case, Moderation is referring to self-control in behaviors outside of the consumption of food, drinks, and material things, particularly in temperament. When we have enough self-awareness and full control of our emotions, we naturally see the benefits of Moderation. At the very least, being able to moderate our temperament supports our own mental and physical health. As a collective, we cultivate compassion and better coexistence within the community we live.

10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

To me, this virtue is supported by a few other virtues listed here, such as Temperance, Order and Industry. While Cleanliness may seem like a feel-good virtue, its subtle effects could carry a widespread vibration.

Cleanliness not only prevents infections and diseases physically, but has the ability to revitalize and awaken energy and bring someone out of a funk, at a mental and emotional level. We can all appreciate and feel the effects of a pristine environment when we walk into one. To me, Cleanliness applies to more than just our physical faculty. Routine purification of our mind and soul revitalizes our consciousness and brings new clarity to our life.

11. TRANQUILITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Many wise men still struggle to achieve this virtue. I am truly curious whether young Franklin was happy with his efforts in this one. I know as much as I have grown in this area, I still have much room for improvement.

The Serenity Prayer comes to mind whenever I seek Tranquility: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference…” It is a great reminder to choose my battles, don’t sweat the small stuff, and to let go of what is out of my control. (I know I’m mixing metaphors here, but to me, they are tied to a similar idea.)

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.

I have a deep appreciation for this virtue (though Franklin himself may not have lived up to this one), in a sense that Chastity is not seen here as sexual abstinence but regarded as a sacred and passionate act not to be abused. This subject is often controversial in nature and many take it to an extreme, I feel. If healthy boundaries or discernment can be applied to how we approach sex, then the overall quality of our sex lives will potentially flourish.

13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

I have not studied either Jesus or Socrates extensively. I grew up studying mostly Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, but I always hold great admiration for those with Humility. 

Humility to me equals confidence. Knowing that you don’t know everything and are always willing to listen and learn is wisdom in itself. If everyone was able to acknowledge that and practice the virtue of having humility, then my guess is many arguments would be avoided because we’d be less concerned with how to prove ourselves and how to win.

Close to the end of his life, Benjamin Franklin humbly wrote in his autobiography: “on the whole, tho’ I never arrived at the Perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell short of it. Yet as I was, by the Endeavor, a better and a happier Man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”