At the age of twenty, Benjamin Franklin, partially reflecting on Philippians 4:8, wrote a list of virtues he felt where important to a disciplined life:

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.

As I’ve been re-looking at my goals and trying to put them in a order and format that I can really keep to and appreciate, I’ve decided to go with a similar format to Benny’s.

I listed these virtues in a quick brainstorm last night, so I’m probably going to change them around at different points.

Moderation: Avoid extremes. Simply meet needs

Justice: Live in a way that is un-oppressive.

Simplicity: Free my life of unneccessaries

Discipline: Live as I plan, not on a whim.

Grace: Allow myself and other’s God’s redeeming grace.

Humility: Remain a follower (of Christ)

Prayer: Submit my life and desires to God

Ambition: Use every minute as if my last.

Sacrifice: Forego worldly pleasures and wants.

Passion: Let my passion fuel my actions.

What are your virtues?