“Thus you will be sure to please yourself. The polite Man aims at pleasing others, but you shall go beyond him even in that. A Man can be present only in one Company, but may at the same time be absent in twenty. He can please only where he is, you whereever you are not.”
Temperance: Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.
Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.revisit
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.
Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
relate with media (e.g., social media) notes
Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; if you speak, speak accordingly.
Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable.
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.
“Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no ambition corrupt thee, no example sway thee, no persuasion move thee, to do any thing which thou knowest to be evil; so shalt thou always live jollily; for a good conscience is a continual Christmas. Adieu.” – Poor Richard’s Almanac (pp. 76-77)
ben franklin by walter isaacson (founders #115) ~42m
he was first a writer
he wasn’t really in for money, but neither in for practicality per se
mediocrity is always invisible until passion shows up and exposes it (26m)
the Golden Rule 2.0: how to turn adversaries into allies—he that has once has done you a Kindness will be more ready to do another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.revisit
The Ben Franklin Effect—Ben Franklin discovered that a person who has done someone a favor is more likely to do that person another favor than they would be had they received a favor. This simple technique can be used to gain your favor or create a sense of indebt to others.