His “Plan” was made
up of 13 virtues, each with short descriptions:
1. Temperance: Eat
not to dullness and 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. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate
no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.
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.
12. Tranquilit
y:
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
13. Humility: Imitate
Jesus and Socrates.
Rules to live by.
