The wisdom of Benjamin Franklin (part 3)

"The virtue of sincerity:
  Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and,
  if you speak, speak accordingly."

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Today we wouldn't generally say it in Ben's literate 18th century prose style, but any way of saying what he said would be a good way.

At the age of 20, Franklin wrote out his personal list of 13 virtues by which he intended to guide his life. No. 7 was Sincerity. A pretty good one.

Imagine how the bitterly partisan comments on today's news and political free-for-all web sites would be different if everyone followed Franklin's dictum about speaking "innocently and justly."


The next time restraint is a soothing alternative to whatever you're planning to say, speak accordingly…


More wisdom from old Ben:
http://barleyliterate.blogspot.com/2012/05/wisdom-of-benjamin-franklin-part-2.html


http://barleyliterate.blogspot.com/2012/05/wisdom-of-benjamin-franklin.html