I think that before I start anything, I should explain what exactly I mean before I start this project. In Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography, he creates a neat GTD-esque project where he tracks his virutes and vices over a period of time. He had 13 conditions, moral codes, that he believed were the most important. I’ll list them later. Then, he created a chart, the seven days of the week at the top, and a row for each code. Each time he committed a transgression for a certain code that day, he would put a pencil mark in that section (very much like a modern Excel Chart).
Here are the virutes:
1) Temperance
Eat not to Dullness. Drink not to Elevation
2)Silence
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoiding 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)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 hurful Deceit. Think innocently and just; 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. Forbear resenting Injuries , so much as you think they deserve.
10)Cleanliness
Tolerate no uncleanness of the body, clothes, or habitation.
11)Tranquility
Be not disturbed at Trifles, or Accidents common or unavoidable.
12)ChastityRarely use Venery but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or anothr’s peace or reputation.
13)Humility
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
I, of course, will be making some changes to the system, making it my own, adapting it to my own personal philosophy. But this may prove to be a fun project.
