Window or Mirror?

“Find what’s right, and do it loudly.” (Orrick)

1. The quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards
2. The state of being complete or undivided

It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what one does not believe. - Thomas Paine

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. - Martin Luther King, Jr

I learned that falsifying this one fact about my life made me feel phony, ridiculous, complicit, and, worst of all, undermined by my own hand. - Gloria Steinem

These quotes are all correct, and insightful, but the balance of my opinions I have shamelessly purloined from Dr. Stephen L. Carter, author of the book Integrity. If you do not own a copy of this book, buy it, read it, and read it every year until you shuffle off this mortal coil – I cannot recommend it enough. Read the rest of this entry »

“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”

1. Modest and unassuming in attitude and behavior
2. Feeling or showing respect and deference toward other people
3. Relatively low in rank and without pretensions

Humility is not a peculiar habit of self-effacement, rather like having an inaudible voice, it is a selfless respect for reality and one of the most difficult and central of all the virtues. - Iris Murdoch

If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: “He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.” - Epictetus

Blame yourself as you would blame others; excuse others as you would excuse yourself. - Chinese proverb

Franklin’s advice is simple and direct – imitate two people who were known to have the virtue of humility. The quotes suggest some of the qualities of humility; respect for your position in the Universe, self-effacing humor, treating yourself as you’d have others treat you, and so forth. In order to get Franklin’s point, we’ll have to take a look at the lives of both Socrates and Christ. Read the rest of this entry »

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Simple sentence and we’ve even messed this one up. Read it again. Which powers? The ones contained herein! And no more! Read the rest of this entry »

“Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your or another’s peace or reputation.”

1. The pursuit of or indulgence in sexual pleasure

Each coming together of man and wife, even if they have been mated for many years, should be a fresh adventure; each winning should necessitate a fresh wooing. - Marie Stopes

It provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lecher. - William Shakespeare

Its (pornography) avowed purpose is to excite sexual desire, which, I should have thought, is unnecessary in the case of the young, inconvenient in the case of the middle aged, and unseemly in the old.- Malcolm Muggeridge

Franklin’s opinion on a volatile subject is clear – minimize sexual contact in every situation. The addition of other concepts seems almost an afterthought; he knew that abstinence was unlikely. Moderation is seen in the last part of the phrase, as well as the admonishment that acting on this strong urge can result in grave harm to relationships and social standing. Read the rest of this entry »

“Be not disturbed at trifles; or at accidents common or unavoidable.”

1. Free of any disturbance or commotion
2. Showing no signs of anxiety or agitation
3. A state of peace and calm

Anger blows out the lamp of the mind. In the examination of a great and important question, every one should be serene, slow-pulsed, and calm.- Ingersoll

It is easier to forgive an enemy than a friend.- Mme. Dorothee Deluzy

Good-humor is goodness and wisdom combined - Owen Meredith

“Let your occupations be few”, says the sage, “if you would lead a tranquil life”. By a tranquil mind I mean nothing else than a mind well ordered.- Marcus Aurelius Antonius

Franklin’s words are summarized by a late 20^th century American colloquialism, “Chill out”. This phrase means that we should take it easy, cool down, don’t take things so seriously. Read the rest of this entry »