Benjamin Franklin's thirteen virtues each have their own message and explanation, as to how it can help us have or live a better life. While Benjamin Franklin tried to do all thirteen virtues, I picked three: temperance, sincerity, and tranquility. Temperance means to not excessively drink or eat, or to overindulge yourself with food or alcohol. Sincerity is to be nice and truthful; if you have nothing nice to say, then do not say it at all. Lastly, tranquility means to be peaceful. I picked these three because they each play a role in my life, which I can make better with these three virtues.
I picked temperance so I can stop indulging myself with sweets and snacks, and maybe try to manage my eating habit. At often times, I tend to be blunt about something and say it to the person using sarcasm. I realized that was one thing I would have to change, sincerity, because I would not want to hurt someone's feelings and have them feeling bad. I do not have a lot of patience when I am trying to hold in my anger. This is why I picked tranquility, to manage my anger and try to be calm.
For temperance, I was successful. Like I stated before, I had chosen temperance to stop indulging myself and to manage what I take in. I was successful because I watched what I ate and managed to not eat anything that would be extra to me, when I was already full. I tried my best to avoid my cravings and realized that I did not need any of the fattening foods that I was craving. Though, I was not as successful with tranquility as I was with temperance. As much as I tried to stay calm, I still felt annoyance or anger towards someone because of their actions. Even if it was going to happen anyways and just make me feel worse, I still felt annoyed and angry, leading me into not being able to change these vices. However, I was successful with sincerity. Instead of being blunt and saying rude comments with the use of sarcasm, I decided to stay quiet about it and not say anything at all. The person most likely did not need to hear it and it would not make me a better person either. I realized that I would not want someone to treat me the way that I would treat others with my bluntness and chose to avoid commenting on anything that seemed too immature. Basically, I did not want to hurt anyone's feelings and did not say anything rude to the person, so they can stay happy as they were.
During these three days, these three virtues taught me that I needed to have a better personality, change my eating habits, and control my anger. Even if some did not work out, I tried my best for all of the virtues. In order for me to live a better life, I hope to one day change these virtues.
Talar, impatience must run in the family, since I chose to attempt to be tranquil during the three days, and failed also. The virtues you chose completely described your personality, and it must have been a challenge to try and change those qualities. However, I assume you realize that the change you made in three days was for your benefit. We shall attempt to work on these virtues together!
ReplyDeleteI think you are very brave for choosing temperance and actually going through with it. I specifically did not pick that one because I felt that I would fail miserably, but I am very happy that you were successful. I also have to confess that tranquility would be very nice in your life because I know you personally and know how much your anger hurts you. Maybe you should try a different approach than the one you were using to be able to stay calm. Probably like counting sheep, or breathing slowly, or even staying awa from what makes you mad ;)
ReplyDeleteTalar, first I want you to know that you did an amazing job and that it is totally fine if you failed at tranquility. I understand because sometimes I experience the same problems too. When I become angry and annoyed, I need to let it out somehow. I also know that you are calm most of the time, but occasionally it is normal for you to become extremely angry. However, it is also important to remind yourself that letting your anger out will not change the situation and just like you stated, it will make you feel worse. Regardless, I regard all three of your virtues and I think you were successful even if you had trouble with one of them.
ReplyDeleteI think that, although you failed at tranquility, you did an excellent job. It takes a great amount of courage to even admit your mistakes, let alone attempt to change them. The fact that you were able to recognize your flaws in a straightforward manner was an accomplishment on its own.
ReplyDeleteI believe that temperance is a problem most of the world population has, as they eat when they have nothing better to do, even if they are not hungry. If you were able to achieve temperance, then I salute you because it is truly a difficult task to conquer. Gaining unnecessary weight is one vice that none of us can stand. Sincerity is a matter of being real with your words. Try to always say the truth, no matter how ugly it may sound. You will get more respect if you are sincere with others, rather than fake and not honest. Tranquility was one virtue that was fairly easy to accomplish, because all you had to do was stay out of arguments and fights. You do not always have to involve yourself in every event that takes place. Sometimes it is better to mind your own business then to have to deal with others problems. But overall, you did a pretty nice job accomplishing these virtues.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I failed this one, I was not surprised that you succeeded temperance, since I have never seen you pig out whenever we go out to eat. However, I knew you would fail to succeed tranquility, since you seem to be tense at times, along with most teenage girls these days. Sincerity must have been easy for you considering the fact that being nice and truthful is in your nature. All these virtues are important for people to carry out. At times it is natural to mess up but the idea to at least try to do them is most important.
ReplyDeleteThe virtue of temperance is not an easy one to accomplish. Even though it is one of the more simple ones, it is one of the most difficult to accomplish. I am surprised to see you fail in tranquility. From what I see, you are quiet most of the times and do not speak unless absolutely necessary. I would think sincerity was your easiest virtue because you are always kind to others and I do not know a single person who claims you have harmed them in any way.
ReplyDeleteIt is excellent to see you thinking about others along with yourself for this assignment. I would think that sincerity would not have been difficult for you because your personality is already sincere. Tranquility could be difficult for anyone because keeping your anger inside could have caused you to let out all your anger at any given moment. Also, temperance is nothing I have ever seen you have an issue with, but I am glad you were able to continuously control your eating habits.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how you were able to pull through temperance although you have such a connection with sweets. I totally understand why you were not able to be successful with tranquility because I am the same way. Sometimes it is very hard to keep calm when one has an annoying surrounding. You did an amazing job at being sincere towards others because it is already part of your personality, which I admire.
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