A Quest.

Another school year is upon me, and... I don't think I'm ready. I'm quite frankly a very, very lazy person. I'm unorganized and unwilling to get off the couch to do something about it. So this year I'm setting out to change that. Starting today I will be devoting a week to each of Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues, as he put:

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

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.

Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, 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 uncleanness 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.

I've even put a small, folded paper in my wallet to chart the times I mess up on that week's virtue. I'll try to post every Saturday to report on experiences and troubles I ran into while doing this. I'm already wishing I did this earlier. Wish me luck, all of you. I'll need it.