Sam Harrelson

I like #13!

When Benjamin Franklin was 20 years old, he wrote up a 13-point "plan"
for how he would live his life. He found that following the plan
increased his happiness so much that he kept it up for the rest of his
life. 

He committed to giving strict attention to one virtue each week so
after 13 weeks he moved through all 13. After 13 weeks he would start
the process over again so in one year he would complete the course a
total of 4 times.

He tracked his progress by using a little book of 13 charts. At the
top of each chart was one of the virtues. The charts had a column for
each day of the week and thirteen rows marked with the first letter of
each of the 13 virtues. Every evening he would review the day and put a
mark (dot) next to each virtue for each fault committed with respect to
that virtue for that day.

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and 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. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.

11. 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.

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

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

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