Benjamin Franklin - Walter Isaacson
An inspiring figure in American history. Self-made, industrious, revolutionary. He really had a knack for doing what's necessary, when necessary.
Quotes
"'From a child I was fond of reading,' he recalled, 'and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books.'"
"But Franklin was a reasonable soul, so wedded to being rational that he became adroit at rationalizing."
"He was, in the words of the critic Jonathan Yardley, 'a self-created and self-willed man who moved through life at a calculated pace toward calculated ends'"
"The used key is always bright"
"When the well's dry we know the worth of water"
"Diligence is the mother of good luck"
"Seach others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices"
"Love your enemies, for they will tell you your faults"
"God helps them that help themselves"
Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues:
1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness; 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 omiting the benefits that are your duty
9. Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve
10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation
11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or accidents common or unavoidable
12. 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
13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates