Franklin's 13 Virtues: Timeless Wisdom Rediscovered

When we think about historical figures that were wise, there are a number of standouts. However, if we restrict this to only Americans, one man stands apart. Benjamin Franklin was a man of wit and common-sense. He remains the archetype of the Renaissance Man, someone multi-talented and multi-faceted.  His annual publication, Poor Richard’s Almanack served as a wealth of wisdom for 25 years, starting in 1732.

If much of Franklin’s wisdom sounds familiar, it is because it has permeated American society. In examining Franklin’s writings (especially the 13 Virtues elucidated in his biography) we find that his wisdom is based on scripture.  Franklin’s virtues, as writ, are God’s virtues. This doesn’t discredit Franklin in any way, but rather serves to lend credence to his claims. Christians know that God is the source of wisdom (Proverbs 2:6) and that all scripture has a purpose related to our education (II Timothy 3:16). Knowing this, we can place our faith in the value of the Word. This also gives us a fuller appreciation of Franklin’s virtues, included below with appropriate references to scripture:

1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Scriptural basis – Proverbs 23:20-21
 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags

2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

Scriptural Basis – Proverbs 10:19

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

3. Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

Scriptural Basis – I Corinthians 14:33

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Scriptural Basis – I Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

Scriptural Basis – John 6:11-12

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

6. Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Scriptural Basis – Colossians 3:23-24

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

Scriptural Basis – Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Scriptural Basis – Leviticus 25:17

Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God: for I am the Lord your God.


9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Scriptural Basis – I Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

Scriptural Basis – Leviticus 15 (Entire Chapter)

11. Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Scriptural Basis – John 14:1-2

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

12. 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.

Scriptural Basis – I Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Scriptural Basis – Ephesians 5:1-2
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

A Brand Plucked from the Fire

While camping last weekend I sat next to this towering fire and listened to a pack of not-so-distant coyotes wail in the stillness. Since this was a hunting trip I was heeled the whole time, but I nonetheless thought about how our ancestors would have dealt with coyotes—or larger canids—during a tense nighttime encounter. No doubt they wouldn’t have had the benefit of the glossy .44 revolver that I had strapped to my chest. No, I decided that they would have plucked a brand from the fire. In that moment I imagined it all as clear as day: man, tense with fear, wielding a flickering, smoldering haft of cottonwood against the moonlit sky.  Then, it struck me. Why did I immediately go to those words? Plucked a brand from the fire.

I brought this up to my hunting partner and remarked on the curiousness of how certain phrases from literature permanently burn themselves into our subconscious. I couldn’t recall where I had read plucked a brand from the fire, but I knew that it was poetic, evocative, and meaningful. He was loosely familiar with the phrase and managed to trace it to a verse of scripture:

Zechariah 3:2-3

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

It was at that point that I knew that this was more than a mere poetic phrase excerpted from some bygone piece of literature, but rather a piece of the prophetic vision given to Zechariah and recorded somewhere between 520 – 518 B.C. Zechariah had several such prophetic visions and used these gifts to encourage the people of Israel to reinstate the priesthood and its traditions abandoned for over 70 years. Perhaps more relevant to us today, Zechariah also foretold the coming of, life of, crucifixion of, and return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

This is particularly apropos because just as Joshua was a brand plucked from the fire (i.e. a man saved from damnation by God and chosen for a purpose), today’s Christians share the same status. Jesus saved us from sin (Ephesians 2), prevented us from suffering eternal damnation in hellfire (Revelation 20:15), and allowed God’s purpose to be worked in us (Philippians 2:13). Even if we view our lives as failures or inevitably doomed because of our previous sins, the reality is that the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior is tantamount to literally being pulled from an all-consuming fire.

Just as Jesus overcame the grave (snatching victory from the jaws of death), He also overcame our deaths by his sacrifice. Let me be the first to tell you, I was a brand plucked from the fire. If you are not, you can be too. Nothing that you have done in your life is too much for Jesus to overcome (I Corinthians 15).