A word cloud on black background with words related to self-improvement in white and green text

The quote is from Shakespeare, Hamlet Act 3, Scene 4 and I share it not to ask you to fake a virtue but rather to encourage you to adopt a virtue by internalizing its attributes by constant repetition and continuous focus. As a role model and source of inspiration, I offer you Ben Franklin’s list below.

  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; 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 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 uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
  11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at 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.

Persistence is crucial; it’s human nature to fall into old routines if focus wanders as even Ben found out: “Habit took the advantage of inattention”. I’m not saying it is easy, I’m saying that if you settle for being less than the best possible version of yourself, if you cease to work on yourself, yours will eventually be a life of regret.

Closing Quotes:

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift.” – Steve Prefontaine

“To live a life of virtue, match up your thoughts, words, and deeds.” – Epictetus, c. 50 – c. 138    

“He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place.” – Charles Caleb Colton, 1777-1832

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier