Ben Franklin's 13 virtues?

Question

what does this mean?
Silence
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversations.

Sincerity
Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

Cleanliness
Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation

Answer 1

1. Don't gossip...it could hurt others.
2. Don't act decietfully. Your actions could hurt others, so act accordingly.
3. Keep your house, clothes, and self clean.

Answer 2

It's pretty self explanatory...
Silence
basically, dont talk unless its going to help someone...avoid just blabbing about nothing

Sincerity
Dont lie to hurt people. Think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak innocently and justly too

Cleanliness
be clean and tidy in your body, clothes, and places you are alot (nowadays that'd be your house, car, and workplace)

Answer 3

Hang on I have this in my book somewhere.

He proceeds to list thirteen virtues he hoped to achieve in his daily practice so that he might reach moral perfection. He arranged it so the first would be the easiest for him to attain, and help prepare him for the next. His thirteenth and final virtue was Humility and he wrote, “Imitate Jesus and Socrates”.

He wrote of that:

My List of Virtues contain’d at first but twelve: But a Quaker Friend having kindly inform’d me that I was generally thought proud; that my Pride show’d itself frequently in Conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any Point, but was overbearing and rather insolent; of which he convinc’d me by mentioning several Instances; I determined endeavouring to cure myself if I could of this Vice or Folly among the rest, and I added Humility to my List…

Huh not as much as I thought I had written. Anyway Franklin was very much against polemic arguments. Things like, "I am smarter then you, my God is better then your God, my religion is truer then your religion".

Answer 4

Silence: Don't say anything that doesn't help either yourself or someone else. Don't engage in small talk.

Sincerity: Don't lie in a way that hurts someone. Assume the best of others and don't presume about folks things that are not proven by evidence. And when you speak, let your words reflect both of these ideas.

Cleanliness: Don't put up with a dirty body, dirty clothes, or a dirty house (your own, not others).

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 5

Ron Paul

Answer 6

Where are the other "ten?"
Silence - Shut your mouth,unless you know, what your talking
about.
Sincerity - Don't be bad-mouthing anybody.
Cleanliness - Take a shower, brush your teeth, wash your
clothes, clean up your room,
and don't offend anyone with your B.O. <}:-})

Answer 7

lol if everyone follows silence, i know lotsa people who wouldnt talk much.
Sincerity, i always try to be sincere.
Cleanliness. OMG im in trouble on that one.