Be Like Ben

What is this site about?

This site is about trying to be like Benjamin Franklin, an author, scientist, inventor, statesman, soldier, and diplomat. He is one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

In his late 20s, Ben wrote about 13 virtues for good living. He strived to live by these virtues and tracked them using the form to the right. At the end of each day, he marked the virtues that he missed. In the example, he missed the virtues of sincerity, order, and resolution on Friday.

This site helps you track your accomplishment of the 13 virtues.

Ben's 13 virtues

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.