Clarity: Truths to be Self-Evident

Clarity: Truths to be Self-Evident

There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self. — Benjamin Franklin

One of the most practical, early American polymaths who was dedicated to self-development was Benjamin Franklin. He was an American founding father and diplomat, inventor and scientist, author and publisher, and he also founded civic organizations such as libraries, fire departments and universities. Yet beyond all of these remarkable achievements, my Teacher points to Benjamin Franklin as among those who have achieved consciousness in their lifetime – the extremely hard personal achievement, “to know one’s self.”

As a member of the committee tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin made a profound edit to the initial draft by Thomas Jefferson. He changed the wording from "We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable" to "We hold these truths to be self-evident." He suggested the use of the word “self-evident” in the Declaration of Independence to declare (de + clare = to make clear) the intrinsic rights of individuals. The term “self-evident” means that something is clearly understandable without the need for explanation. Franklin wanted to emphasize at the birth of a new nation a clarity that could stand the test of time.

However, it is not Franklin’s external public achievements that are most important, but his inner clarity of purpose that he applied to self-development. He drafted a list of thirteen virtues which he considered "the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection,” and he was engaged in a practical approach of self-awareness and self-observation. This clarity of consciousness was not the result of an extensive education. After only two years of Latin school, his formal education ended at the age of 10. Through reading and his apprenticeship as a printer – and I would add, his attention to self-awareness – he was a self-taught student of life.

The unexamined life is not worth living. — Socrates

Following is the list of thirteen virtues that Franklin wrote as a discipline for himself. He chose one virtue each week and kept a chart to track his progress:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.

2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.

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

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

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

6. Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.

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

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

9. Moderation: Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation.

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

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.

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Through this discipline of practicing virtues, Franklin was making his “house” ready to receive the Master. Cleaning, organizing and watching the interface of his internal world with his external circumstances and allowing something clear and conscious to take priority over his actions and direct his life. Every morning he asked himself “What good shall I do today?” and at the end of the day he asked himself “What good have I done today?”

We have all cleaned our machines, that is, we have removed negative emotions and imagination, and thereby our third eye is clear and present. — The Teacher

What are your daily questions and what would your list of virtues look like?

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Benjamin Franklin, Joseph Siffrein Duplessis