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What are traditional values?
Benjamin Franklin
Posted on 02/27/2005 9:27:49 AM PST by Racehorse
A little while ago someone posted an excerpt from Colin McNickle's opinion piece: Conservatives Abandoning Their Principles. Somehow, by some twisted associative thinking while reading the article, I drifted from fiscal values to what, really, are our traditional values.
Then, I remembered The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin wherein the sometimes rakish Franklin performed all the hard work of listing what I believe are our core traditional values.
Can you add something to his list of virtues? Since his list focuses on personal virtue, I can think of a few which would extend to family, community, country.
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 employ'd 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 extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. CLEANLINESS.
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. TRANQUILLITY.
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. CHASTITY.
Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. HUMILITY.
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.