Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues

Wednesday Wisdom #4

Happy Wednesday, and welcome to the 4th edition of Wednesday Wisdom. Last week I shared the best book I read in 2019, and this week I'll give you a glimpse into what made Benjamin Franklin so successful. 

Let’s get to it.

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Ben Franklin's 13 Virtues

At 20 years old, Benjamin Franklin designed a system for developing his character. He created a list of 13 virtues that he believed, through practice, would help him become a better, happier, and more successful man.

Each week, Franklin would focus working on a single virtue. After consecutively practicing it for 7 days, he would move to the next. For example: one week he would work on moderation, while the next he might focus on justice. 

He’d reflect on and record his success / failure with all 13 virtues each day in his journal.

These virtues became ingrained in his character. He found himself naturally practicing them more than ever, which eventually made him into a happy, well-rounded, successful man.

Below are the 13 virtues: