It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to deceive himself.
Benjamin Franklin
1706 – 1790
Benjamin Franklin was one of America’s most influential and successful citizens. He recognized the need for self-mastery and actually mapped out a plan to achieve it. He identified thirteen areas of life that he considered essential to manage. His plan was to focus on one area each week so that by the end of a calendar quarter, he would have gone through the entire list. He would then repeat the process.
He also had a book for each day of the week with thirteen columns, and he marked down each time he felt that he had failed in any one area. He soon came to realize that perfection was not possible. Still, this exercise greatly improved his degree of self-mastery and contributed significantly to his success in life.
Here is his list of areas to work on to improve self-mastery:
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 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; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation
11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable
12. 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
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates
If you truly want to improve your life, to gain a better degree of self-mastery, then this list is a great place to start.
If you wou’d be reveng’d of your enemy, govern yourself.
Benjamin Franklin
Copyright © 2010 John Chancellor