perhaps one of the most difficult virtues to accomplish, humility was added to Benjamin Franklin's list as an afterthought. upon showing his list of virtues to a friend, franklin's attention was called to the fact that he was indeed a very proud man and thus he decided to add humility to his list. he struggled with this virtue and often joked that even if he could conceive that he had completely overcome it, he would probably be proud of his humility.
humility is a characteristic that is given to someone that is considered to be humble or modest. being humble is not necessarily giving up pride of one's accomplishments and self-worth, but rather presenting it without arrogance and conceit. humility is a quiet confidence, without boasting or showing off.
a humble person is open-minded and always willing to learn. rather than being defensive and overbearing when discussing ideas with others, a humble person listens to others' ideas and criticisms and learns from them. successful leaders are often very humble people, because in order to be successful, one must be willing to learn from everyone around them.
quinta-feira, 4 de dezembro de 2008
quarta-feira, 3 de dezembro de 2008
27 conservation
there's nothing more polimic than conservation nowadays. the preservation and careful management of environmental and natural resources is probably on of the main concerns of human beings.
we've been facing a severe change in the planet's climate. the global phenomenon known as the warming of the Earth's atmosphere, today, has become an observable reality. it's the consequence of what we call progress.
when franklin wrote the thirteen virtues which he considered to be universal, he wisely included conservation in order to waste nothing. maybe he had foreseen the catastrophe that the lack of conservation could cause.
taking into consideration that virtues can be built by rationality or by custom, a great variety of virtues will be found. all this variety has been abstracted from thousands of years of observation, and from these observations, moral rules were created to standardize behaviour.
more than individual virtues are necessary to lead people to good and happy lives. (sic)
People live in communities, so civic virtues and citizenship are also requirements for living well. Nowadays, as future citizens, children are taught principals (sic) of conservation. Hopefully, it's not too late.
we've been facing a severe change in the planet's climate. the global phenomenon known as the warming of the Earth's atmosphere, today, has become an observable reality. it's the consequence of what we call progress.
when franklin wrote the thirteen virtues which he considered to be universal, he wisely included conservation in order to waste nothing. maybe he had foreseen the catastrophe that the lack of conservation could cause.
taking into consideration that virtues can be built by rationality or by custom, a great variety of virtues will be found. all this variety has been abstracted from thousands of years of observation, and from these observations, moral rules were created to standardize behaviour.
more than individual virtues are necessary to lead people to good and happy lives. (sic)
People live in communities, so civic virtues and citizenship are also requirements for living well. Nowadays, as future citizens, children are taught principals (sic) of conservation. Hopefully, it's not too late.
terça-feira, 2 de dezembro de 2008
25 tranquility
Benjamin Franklin's 12th virtue - tranquility - is a virtue that is based at (sic) peace within. He explained this virtue as not being "disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable."
Life is full of turmoil and obstacles that are constantly thrown in one's way. Trials are inevitable as well as important to one's personal growth. Even though people must confront problems, this does not impede one from leading a tranquil life. What will constitute whether one's life is tranquil or not, depends on how the individual reacts to and deals with these unavoidable obstacles.
Many people, when faced with unpleasant situations or trials, get stressed out or upset. During conflict, some people choose to yell and say derogatory remarks. Not only does this not solve the problem, but it also creates even more tension. On learning how to react with more calmness, one will avoid unecessary stress which can lead to health problems and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Franklin left the virtue of tranquility towards the end of the list with the intention of first perfecting the other 11 virtues. Once he had perfected these, he believed that tranquility would come naturally.
Life is full of turmoil and obstacles that are constantly thrown in one's way. Trials are inevitable as well as important to one's personal growth. Even though people must confront problems, this does not impede one from leading a tranquil life. What will constitute whether one's life is tranquil or not, depends on how the individual reacts to and deals with these unavoidable obstacles.
Many people, when faced with unpleasant situations or trials, get stressed out or upset. During conflict, some people choose to yell and say derogatory remarks. Not only does this not solve the problem, but it also creates even more tension. On learning how to react with more calmness, one will avoid unecessary stress which can lead to health problems and an unhealthy lifestyle.
Franklin left the virtue of tranquility towards the end of the list with the intention of first perfecting the other 11 virtues. Once he had perfected these, he believed that tranquility would come naturally.
23 - cleanliness
cleanliness is a virtue regarded to your whole self. Cleanliness is a great preservative of health. When you wash yourself regularly and wear clean clothes, you keep your body free of impurities, preventing yourself from getting diseases. Besides, you feel and smell fresh.
The same way you take care of your body, it is of great importance to watch out for your mental cleanliness. Words, thoughts and the faculty of reason are meant to be used for the good things. Differently from animals that simply act on instinct and do what gives them pleasure, human beings can distinguish right from wrong. A mind filled with pure and positive thoughts keeps one feeling peaceful.
Cleanliness, one of the virtues considered uiniversal, is one of the ways to success. A man used to a clean environment tends to be clean and organized in all aspects. It is necessary to decency, it affords personal comfort and it is also one means to be accepted by society. Without cleanliness, neither health nor respectability can be maintained for very long.
The same way you take care of your body, it is of great importance to watch out for your mental cleanliness. Words, thoughts and the faculty of reason are meant to be used for the good things. Differently from animals that simply act on instinct and do what gives them pleasure, human beings can distinguish right from wrong. A mind filled with pure and positive thoughts keeps one feeling peaceful.
Cleanliness, one of the virtues considered uiniversal, is one of the ways to success. A man used to a clean environment tends to be clean and organized in all aspects. It is necessary to decency, it affords personal comfort and it is also one means to be accepted by society. Without cleanliness, neither health nor respectability can be maintained for very long.
segunda-feira, 1 de dezembro de 2008
moderation lesson 21
moderation
anything in excess can be emotionally, physically or mentally unhealthy. This is why moderation made Franklin's list of virtues. Very closely related to temperance, moderation is keeping all things within reasonable limits and avoiding things in excess or extremes.
nowadays, it is very easy to let ourselves get out of control and use things excessively. Advertisements for products, commercials, media, peer groups, etc, all induce us to use or do things in extremes. The current trend is to use and do things in excess. However, if one does not use self control, it is easy to create addictions. Food, for exemple, has become not only a necessary staple to live, but for many, an addiction and a serious health problem.
moderation demands much discipline, self control and, of course, resolution. However, as presented with the virtue of resolution, as one puts moderation into practice, it eventually becomes habitual and thus easier to control using things in excess.
anything in excess can be emotionally, physically or mentally unhealthy. This is why moderation made Franklin's list of virtues. Very closely related to temperance, moderation is keeping all things within reasonable limits and avoiding things in excess or extremes.
nowadays, it is very easy to let ourselves get out of control and use things excessively. Advertisements for products, commercials, media, peer groups, etc, all induce us to use or do things in extremes. The current trend is to use and do things in excess. However, if one does not use self control, it is easy to create addictions. Food, for exemple, has become not only a necessary staple to live, but for many, an addiction and a serious health problem.
moderation demands much discipline, self control and, of course, resolution. However, as presented with the virtue of resolution, as one puts moderation into practice, it eventually becomes habitual and thus easier to control using things in excess.
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