The 13 Virtues of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father of the United States of America, inventor, journalist, printer, diplomat, and statesman, was born on this day in 1706.

He was a clever cookie, and one of our most quotable. To celebrate his 205th birthday, we’ve handpicked a selection of Virtuous Quotes to Live By – in keeping with Franklin’s 13 Virtues (though his original list had twelve):

My List of Virtues contain’d at first but twelve; but a Quaker Friend having kindly inform’d me that I was generally thought proud; … I determined endeavouring to cure myself if I could of this Vice or Folly among the rest, and I added Humility to my List…

— Benjamin Franklin

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

— Thomas Paine

2. Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

I believe that examining the hidden impacts of all the Stuff in our lives is a way to unplug, which is the first step toward changing things.

— Annie Leonard

3. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.

— Abraham Lincoln

4. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

It all comes to this: the simplest way to be happy is to do good.

— Helen Keller

5. Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.

— Jack Kerouac

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

A small leak can sink a great ship.

— Benjamin Franklin

7. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

Hell, I am young. I am free. My teeth are clean. The sun shines. To hell with everything else.

— Stephen Fry

8. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

And as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquility, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquility to Earth.

— Neil Armstrong

9. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

Let thy speech be better than thy silence, or be silent.

— Dionysius the Elder

10. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

I will speak ill of no man and speak all the good I know of everybody.

— Benjamin Franklin

11. Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

The moral arc of the universe bends at the elbow of justice.

— Martin Luther King Jr.

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.

To many, total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.

— St Augustine of Hippo

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

— Benjamin Franklin

More Quotable wisdom from Benjamin Franklin…

I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up.

— Benjamin Franklin

Remember that time is money.

— Benjamin Franklin

Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.

— Benjamin Franklin

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

— Benjamin Franklin

If you would not be forgotten,
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worthy reading,
Or do things worth the writing.

— Benjamin Franklin

It’s also Martin Luther King, Jr Day in the U.S. - take a look at our collection of quotes for MLK Day over on Quotables.

Benjamin Franklin by Twisted Cynic

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