In the year 1723, a 17 year-old boy arrived in Philadelphia without a penny to his name. At age 42, he retired, wealthy. Few men, before or since have ever been as successful as Benjamin Franklin. He gave credit for his many inventions and business successes to this list of some principles. Each of them should be practiced in order so that all of them become a habit in your life. They’ll work as well today as they did then.
Temperance: Eat not 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 it’s 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; waste nothing.
Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut of all unnecessary actions.
Sincerity: Use no harmful 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; forebear-resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness: Don’t tolerate, uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation.
Tranquillity: Be not disturbed at trifles, nor at accidents.
Chastity: Be chaste in matters with the opposite sex.
Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
