Ever use any of Ben Franklin's self-checking list of 13 virtues?

Question

Ben Franklin tried to lead his life, checking himself before others had to with a list of 13 virtues. He placed each one of the virtues on a separate page in a small book that he kept with him for most of his life. He would evaluate his performance with regard to each of them on a daily basis. He would also select one of the virtues to focus on for full week. Franklin often emphasized these 13 virtues in his Poor Richard's Almanack. In a letter to his son William, he gave the list of virtues, recommending that William follow them too.
Anyone ever try this?

Answer 1

Hmm... I can't say that I AGREE with many of his so-called virtues, myself. For example, he suggests disdaining from sexual activity except "for health or offspring" (not that I've been having much of that anyway of late... heh). Likewise, I tend to disagree with the quaker idea of industry, in that I believe it is important for each person to recreate from time to time, and indeed to actually spend time doing literally nothing.

BUT I have done something similar. I've spent a long time considering my own values and axioms, and made a list of five postulates for living as well as five commands based on those postulates. I posted the list where I can see and be reminded of it daily, and often review them in my own mind. So perhaps what I do is not so different from Mr Franklin after all, even if we don't agree in the particulars.

Answer 2

Ron Paul

Answer 3

Nope, I never did.