Are you practicing the virtue of moderation? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself or your Ben Franklin Circle. Franklin’s definition: “Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.” 1. Franklin seems to be calling for emotional and psychological moderation (i.e. avoid resentment). Is it important to control your emotional… Read more »
Are you practicing the virtue of humility? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself or your Ben Franklin Circle. Franklin’s definition: “Imitate Jesus and Socrates.” 1. There are a lot of different ways to think about humility. By referencing Jesus and Socrates, Franklin suggests that humility involves thinking of yourself as unimportant and undistinguished,… Read more »
Are you practicing the virtue of order? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself or your Ben Franklin Circle. Franklin’s definition: “Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.” 1. Do you keep your life ordered and organized? What are some ways that you do? … Read more »
Are you practicing the virtue of justice? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself or your Ben Franklin Circle. Franklin’s definition: “Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.” 1. Franklin’s definition of justice seems to be “do no harm.” Is that a good definition? What’s your definition of… Read more »
Are you practicing the virtue of cleanliness? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself or your Ben Franklin Circle. Franklin’s definition: “Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.” 1. Does cleanliness relate to an ability to think more clearly? Does having a clean desk or a clean home allow you to feel less… Read more »
What can we learn from ritual temperance? A few weeks ago, I spent my first Passover away from home and family. Observing the holiday, which commemorates the story of Exodus and the Israelites’ escape from slavery, involves abstaining from certain foods. For eight days, wheat, bread, and other types of chametz are rendered… Read more »