Franklin's Tablet

Study great historical figures to gain life insights. Benjamin Franklin was a legendary thinker.

Here are a few of his accomplishments:

• Scientist
• Author
• Military officer
• Politician
• Leader 
• Coauthor of the American constitution
• Developer - volunteer fire departments
• Founder - public library
• Founder - precursor to University of Pennsylvania

Let's examine his virtue 'stone' tablet:

This is his list of virtues and his interpretation:

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.
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.
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes 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.
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Franklin joked that he could never achieve humility, "or I would surely be proud of it." 

He tracked his progress weekly using the tablet...suffice to say that he fell short in a variety of areas.

Catalog your personal strengths and areas of desired improvement. Track results. "Winners are trackers." 

Too complicated? Consider the acronym: THINK about words and deeds

• T - Truthful
• H - Helpful
• I  - Inspiring 
• N - Necessary
• K - Kind

Lagniappe. One-arm dig.