Virtues of Life
Walter Isaacson (2003), the author of Ben Franklin: An American Life said of Mr. Franklin, “He was a
prophet of tolerance” (p. 93). Over 223
years after Dr. Franklin’s death, tolerance still stands out as a trait few can
master. Franklin was a pragmatist. Though he could philosophize with the best of
the vocal orators, he was a man of action and relevance. He sought wholeness and individual growth
through virtuous acts. Not overly
religious, his faith was anchored in the thirteen virtues of his “moral
perfections.” As Isaacson (2003) said, “Franklin’s
focus was on traits that could help him succeed in this world, instead of the
ones that would exalt his soul for the hereafter” (p. 90).
Franklin’s 13 Virtues
Temperance – Silence – Order
– Resolution – Frugality – Industry – Sincerity – Justice – Moderation –
Cleanliness – Tranquility – Chastity – Humility
Each trait demonstrates a quality
of self-control, assurance, faithfulness, and respect. Before one can move forward and engage one,
two, or all of these traits, they must be able to evaluate their present
position. Where do I stand in respect to
each of these characteristics? Strong in
some and weak in others? Steven Snyder
(2013) in his book Leadership and the Art
of Struggle said, “Being authentically self-aware and mindful of your
feelings, emotions, and reactions can take many years of hard work as you peel
back the layers of that unique person that you are. It often takes that much time to learn how to
grasp the power you have within you to be the very best you can be” (p. xiii).
I have little doubt that I have
plenty of room for improvement in each of Franklin’s 13 virtues. For the sake of brevity, I’ll limit it to the
action steps I can take to improve in three areas: silence, frugality, and
humility.
Silence
One of the best books I’ve ever
read was Eric Metaxas’ Bonhoeffer. Early in the book there was something
written that I’ve never forgotten and have yet to command. Metaxas (2010) spoke of young Dietrich
Bonhoeffer’s upbringing and his father’s authority when he said, “Karl
Bonhoeffer taught his children to speak only when they had something to
say. He did not tolerate sloppiness of
expression any more than he tolerated self-pity or selfishness or boastful
pride” (p. 15).
At nearly 600 pages, Bonhoeffer is
one of the largest books I’ve ever read and yet two sentences written in the first
handful of pages caught my attention.
There’s good reason for that: I talk too much. Through conversations with my wife, my
friends, and trusted mentors, I’ve learned to taper the number of my words and
do more listening than talking. In fact,
there were actually times (and I use this regularly as an example) that as I am
speaking, a voice in my head asks me, “when are you going to shut up?” Seriously! I am telling myself to stop
talking as I am talking!
Obviously, Ben Franklin is on to
something. But, he’s not alone. King
Solomon said, “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay
out of trouble” (Proverbs 21:23, NIV).
Though I’ve improved in this area and have become a much better listener,
my life still consists of me doing more talking than listening. Sometimes, as Snyder mentioned earlier, being
mindful and self-aware can help me grasp the power to be the best version of
me. Today, it’s a little less talk and a
lot more listening.
Frugality
When I first read of Franklin’s
virtues in October 2010 (I date all my books), frugality didn’t come to
mind. Two and a half years later as I
read this assignment, frugality evaded my thoughts once again. Then I took the virtues test and scored well. However, though the test responded by
stating, “You’ve made a good start on self-improvement” it also stated: You
might want to think about how you approach: Frugality. What? Are
you serious? It finished with, “make a
budget and try to stick to it.” Ouch.
Ten simple questions and I’ve been exposed.
Truth be told, I waste money and food. And, I waste money on food. As the money
manager of our home, I’ve created several budgets. I’ve told my wife and family numerous times,
“A budget is only numbers on paper if it is not followed.” In his best selling book The Total Money Makeover, Dave Ramsey (2003) said, “Change is
painful. Few people have the courage to
seek out change. Most people won’t
change until the pain of where they are exceeds the pain of change” (p. 15). Ramsey is referencing our budgets, saving,
and spending habits. Though I’ve also
grown in this area, if I am honest with myself, I waste entirely too much
money.
My bank statement is riddled with
Starbucks, Subway, Panera Bread, Chick-Fil-A, and a number of other
restaurants. To appease my guilt, I’ll
rationalize with statements such as, “I don’t spend it on alcohol, cigarettes,
golf, or anything else so if I want to go out to eat and drink Starbucks
several times a week than it should be okay.”
Honestly, just writing that stung a little.
With that, change is coming. Nearing 50 years old, I find myself
disciplined with reading, school, work, and ministry activities. I exercise and manage my attitude. Yet, there is a weakness and frivolousness
with spending and eating. Franklin said,
“Waste nothing.” It’s time to reduce the
waste and increase the wealth.
Humility
C.S. Lewis (1952) calls it “The
great sin.” He writes in Mere Christianity, “There is one vice of
which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he
sees it in someone else: Pride” (p. 121).
The antithesis of humility.
In May of this year I read a book
by Brad Lomenick called The Catalyst
Leader. Lomenick (2013) discusses the three elements of principled
leadership. The first one he discusses: humility.
He writes, “Humble leaders are willing
to pass on the credit but absorb the criticism, push others higher while making
themselves lower, and put the desires of the team ahead of their own” (p. 127).
Uhh, yeah…about that…
If there is one quality that cannot
be faked, fabricated, or found, it is humility.
This is a characteristic that is born from the death of hubris burned in
the fire of circumstances. You will not
wake up humble. You can’t get it by
reading about it. You can’t hope for it
or beg for it. I have found it only
comes about by choosing to kill selfish pride and allow others to be noticed
before me. As I’ve said with the
previous two virtues, I have improved in this area (or so I’ve been told). Humility can never be professed; rather, it’s
recognized. So, if you have to say you’re
humble; you’re not.
The best way to integrate
additional measures of humility in my life is to talk about making right
choices and looking for opportunities to let others grow and succeed as I
remain in the background. Humility is a
paradox. One chooses to be low and as a
result is raised up. Jesus said, “For
those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves
will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12, NIV).
Interestingly, Ben Franklin
originally only identified 12 virtues until a Quaker friend “kindly” informed
him that he had left something off: Franklin was often guilty of “pride,” the
friend said, citing many examples, and could be “overbearing and insolent.” So
Franklin added “humility” to be the thirteenth virtue on his list” (Isaacson,
2003).
I’ve come to understand that one’s
battle with pride is a lifelong struggle that never completely goes away. But, with that said, I do believe it can be
placed in-check and controlled like a prisoner sentenced to life. Isaacson (2003) quotes Franklin referencing
pride when he said, “There is perhaps no one of our natural passions so hard to
subdue as pride; disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it,
mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive and will every now and then
peep out and show itself” (p. 92).
Like silence and frugality,
humility is best served when made self-aware.
Thinking and writing of these virtues is a great step toward improving
them in my life. Tomorrow I will listen
more, spend less, and serve faithfully.
My goal is to help men and women achieve all they can be. In the process, joy will be found by witenssing
their success.
While I’ve got some work to do,
it’s great to see how far I’ve come. The
fulfillment is not in the destination but rather in the journey. I encourage everyone to pick three virtues
they believe they can improve on and write out their thoughts on how to grow in
those areas. Simply thinking and writing
has a tremendous impact.
Legacy knows when to keep silent,
when to save, and always serves.
Steve
Reference:
Isaacson, W. (2003). Ben Franklin: An American Life. New
York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Lewis, C.S. (1952). Mere Christianity. San Francisco, CA:
HarperCollins.
Lomenick, B. (2013). The catalyst leader. Nashville, TN:
Thomas Nelson.
Metaxas, E. (2010). Bonhoeffer. Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson.
Ramsey, D. (2003). The total money makeover. Nashville, TN:
Thomas Nelson.
Snyder, S. (2013). Leadership and
the art of struggle. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler
Publishers.
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