How am I doing?
I found myself very frustrated today, for a reason so trivial and nonsensical it does not even count as a reason at all. I just happened to stumble across Benjamin Franklin’s thirteen virtues and decided to grade myself 1-10. One need not peruse Alan Brinkley’s exhaustive AP U.S. History book to realize that this man was incredibly intelligent, ambitious, versatile, and admirable. How did he do it? 13 virtues.
1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.
(6 Ok, I tend to eat a lot after Cross Country workouts, but they are just so tiring! Other than that I think I’m alright on this one…I think I eat pretty little relatively)
2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
(5 I’m pretty quiet, except with a few familiar friends, in which case I do have trifling conversation with…but hey they’re fun)
3. Order: Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
(5 My things tend to get disorganized sometimes random pieces of clothing are sticking out of my drawer, but I tend to do pretty well schedule wise)
4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
(5 When it comes to small things like homework or responsibilities I do, but sometimes I feel like I am all sentiment and no action when it comes to bigger things)
5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.
(4 I hate wasting food so I usually finish everything. I do, however, have excessive clothes and other items that I probably don’t need)
6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
(7 I’m on tumblr right now…how industrious…lol (sarcasm) but I think I am relatively hardworking…)
7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
(5 Sincere most of the time…I can only think of two loopholes in the recent past, but those were just…uhh…internal ruminations that found no path through actual action)
8. Justice: Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
(5 I don’t think I have been unfair…actually…maybe to my sister…)
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
(6 Most of the time. I tend to be extreme in my head, but I hardly ever really mean what I think about in my head, because these thoughts are often incited by momentary emotions, so in the end I do tend to be sort of moderate and forgiving)
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
(5 ok yea, I get lazy sometimes but it’s not THAT bad)
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.
(8 yea I don’t really do that stuff…)
12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
(1 OMG. YES. THIS IS THE ONE. ONE. OUT OF TEN. THE WORST. i feel like all the others are ok or good but THIS ONE IS A ONE. I AM TERRIBLE AT THIS ONE. I AM ALWAYS DISTRUBED BY TRFLING CONCERNS THAT DON’T EVEN MATTER AND ARE REALLY COMMON WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME)
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
(6 Again, in my head sometimes I tend to overestimate and underestimate myself once in a while, but other than that I do not like to boast about myself or anything.)
