A word of caution when reading lists.

Nothing in this world is ultimate. If you are starting out early in a success journey, it is helpful to memories such lists as following, to help with clarity. Yet, the life is not a Tic-tac-Toe game. There is no strategy you can always win, and unexpected turns occur in one's life, not once or twice but repeatedly, making you doubt your strategy all the time. Hence, if you seek the meaning of life, there is a direction we all should look beyond any list. As an adult I may not agree with all the 13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin, but I would agree that is a darn good list. It would make more sense if you follow some articles.

13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin - the list

Temperance

Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation.

Food can either make you sick or healthy. It is one of the joys of the nature, to taste something. It is a privilege to have a taste. But eating is something which can be hard to master and be satisfied with. One who controls their mouth, will have enough discipline to steer their lives in any direction. -> Taste as a side effect of hunger

Silence

Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself.

Silence is a bliss. I have written an article about silence. Here

Order

Let all your things have their places, each part of your business its time.

I am disorderly being, but I see value of order. Order is something we try to keep against the forces of nature. As entropy is always fighting against order, to make it chaotic. I would rather have a natural order, than artificial order, and preserve my energy leaving chaos untouched.

Resolution

Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Action is the most important step in progression. Thoughts in the absence of action is just blips in the universal void. Wasted energy from your food. Hence, every thought, should be made into reasonable steps, one step at a time. Inspiration is perishable, immediate actions would make it eternal.

Frugality

Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself.

Resources are sparse. There is an urgent need of sharing if we would like to survive longer. Singer's famine relief argument suggests, if we consume more, even if it is not immediately apparent would indirectly affect the fundamental needs of some unfortunate human beings.

Industry

Lose no time; be always employed in something useful.

I would disagree to this. As doing nothing had been most productive times of my life. Would watching a film, a waste of time? Walk in the park a waste of time? But rather, being in a place where you do not want to can be considered a waste of time. If you are thinking of working in your office while at the cinema, then it is clearly a waste of time.

Sincerity

Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly.

This includes being true to yourself as well. If we seek truth, we must be humble to discard whatever prejudices, we had when we are aware of them. Blind faith would work against true wisdom. There is no easy path to the truth.

Justice

Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting benefits.

Opening statement of the novel Great Gatsby, suits here. Hence, I will copy paste it. Be the judge of it. This was advice given to Mr. Carrey protagonist in the story, by his father.

“Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,” he told me, “Just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” How to give infinite hope to someone by reserving judgement.

Moderation

Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Effort, and anything we do, needs more control and moderation as there is paradoxical effect if we make it life or death situation, each and every time.

Cleanliness

Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

It seems trying to tackle dirt every time it occurs, is energy consuming as, the world is always moving towards higher entropy. If Benjamin Franklin is just talking about body, cloths or habitation, I would agree otherwise we would have to live with tics and Mice. Read about entropy and why world prefers chaos Here.

Tranquility

Be not disturbed at trifles or accidents common or unavoidable.

Peace is the Ultimate happiness; tranquility needs deliberate nurturing than spontaneous discovery.

Chastity

Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness or injury.

You may have an individual opinion on this which I would not doubt, or debate upon.

Humility

Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

It doesn't cost anyone anything to be humble. But it might cost everything if you are not. It is a good practice to know and remind what is the Ground Zero in life.

This concludes the 13 virtues of Benjamin Franklin. Which one do you like the most?