grace

14Jan08

So i chanced upon an article in ST’s Recruit section this morning about Benjamin Franklin’s list of 13 virtues he lived by.

So a search on google got me this:

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

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

Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

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

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

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

Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

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.

Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

He carried out 13-week reflections throughout his years where he would lived by one virtue every week and would record down his development.

Now, if only Singaporeans can even adopt a fraction of his behaviour. 13 might be too difficult for the average you and me, but if only we can adopt just 3. My personal favourites for Singaporeans would be- SILENCE, SINCERITY and HUMILTY.

Then perhaps we’re a step closer to a gracious society.

Thank you very much.

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