本杰明·富蘭克林（Benjamin Franklin，1706-1790），美國著(zhù)名的思想家、政治家、外交家和科學(xué)家、實(shí)業(yè)家。出生在波士頓一個(gè)皂燭制造商家庭。他通過(guò)自己的努力，利用一切空閑時(shí)間刻苦自學(xué)，通曉了法語(yǔ)、意大利語(yǔ)、西班牙語(yǔ)和拉丁語(yǔ)，還大量閱讀了歐洲各國的歷史、哲學(xué)、文學(xué)著(zhù)作，對自然科學(xué)和政治經(jīng)濟學(xué)也有很深的研究，最終成為他那個(gè)時(shí)代的佼佼者，并領(lǐng)導美國人民完成了獨立革命，成為和喬治·華盛頓同享盛譽(yù)的領(lǐng)袖人物。他是美國著(zhù)名的思想家、政治家、外交家和科學(xué)家、實(shí)業(yè)家，不僅是美利堅合眾國的締造者之一，更因其光輝的人性而名垂史冊，受到成功學(xué)大師戴爾·卡耐基、拿破侖·希爾和奧格·曼狄諾的推崇，成為美國用至全世界人民心目中的楷模！尤其可貴的是，富蘭克林在20多歲的時(shí)候，就提出以十三項美德來(lái)完善自己的人格修養，使自己在為人處世、待人接物方面臻于完美。這一舉動(dòng)改變了富蘭克林的人生軌跡，使他后來(lái)成為世人仰慕的精神楷模，就連世界著(zhù)名的成功學(xué)大師戴爾·卡耐基、拿破侖·希爾和奧格·曼狄諾對他也推崇備至，將他列為成功人生的導師。富蘭克林晚年根據自己的經(jīng)歷寫(xiě)成的《自傳》，兩個(gè)多世紀以來(lái)一直是世界出版史上的優(yōu)秀暢銷(xiāo)書(shū)，世界各國青年深受其影響，許多人因為這本書(shū)而徹底改變了自己的人生，走上了成功的道路。
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 You probably know him as one of the Fathers of the United States, a great leader and diplomat. He signed the major documents of the founding of the U.S. including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Maybe you know him as an inventor, or as a scientist who flew kites in lightning storms, or as a writer and printing press operator. But did you know that in 1726, at the age of 20, while on an 80-day ocean voyage from London back to Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin developed a "Plan" for regulating his future conduct? He was partially motivated by Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." He followed the plan he created "pretty faithfully" even to the age of 79 (when he wrote about it), and he was even more determined to stick with it for his remaining days because of the happiness he had enjoyed so far by following it. His "Plan" was made up of 13 virtues, each with short descriptions: 1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness and 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: i.e. 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. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation. 11. 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. 12. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
He committed to giving strict attention to one virtue each week so after 13 weeks he moved through all 13. After 13 weeks he would start the process over again so in one year he would complete the course a total of 4 times. He tracked his progress by using a little book of 13 charts. At the top of each chart was one of the virtues. The charts had a column for each day of the week and thirteen rows marked with the first letter of each of the 13 virtues. Every evening he would review the day and put a mark (dot) next to each virtue for each fault committed with respect to that virtue for that day. Naturally, his goal was to live his days and weeks without having to put any marks on his chart. Initially he found himself putting more marks on these pages than he ever imagined, but in time he enjoyed seeing them diminish. After awhile he went through the series only once per year and then only once in several years until finally omitting them entirely. But he always carried the little book with him as a reminder. Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues are unique and obviously served him well since he is one of the most respected and most accomplished men in the history of the United States | ||
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