Wisdom In All Things Special Series
You might say that it was Benjamin Franklin’s disillusionment with a sermon on Philippians 4:8 that was at least partly responsible for his conceiving of “the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection” that is his 13 virtues.
A wise life is a virtuous life. There is an expectation of behavior from someone who claims to be wise. This 13-part series will seek to help us understand a life that is exemplified by the characteristics elevated by this great American statesman.
EXPOSE | Silence
“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” – Benjamin Franklin
EXPLORE | Silence is not Being Silent
With Temperance acquired and established, Franklin thought: “Silence would be more easy; and my desire being to gain knowledge at the same time that I improved in virtue, and considering that in conversation it was obtained rather by the use of the ears than of the tongue, and therefore wishing to break a habit I was getting into prattling, punning, and joking, which only made me acceptable to trifling company, I gave Silence the second place.”
It should be clear that Franklin is not intending that we become a quiet person, as there are certainly times to speak up. In fact, Dr. King suggests that we’re only truly living when we speak up about things that matter.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is speaking with a purpose that distinguishes this virtue, and avoiding those situations when you would be drawn into inane, unimportant, or trivial discussions. This way, you benefit from your listening, and others benefit from your speaking.
EXECUTE | Be Selective: Listen. Speak. Or Neither.
Listen first.
Inherent in Benjamin’s virtue, and further in his explanation, is the intent to gain understanding and be all the wiser by listening.
How else will you know when or what to speak?
“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato
Here, a new application of the Miranda Warning might be beneficial. “Arrested” by the gravity of the opportunity, and the need to keep our mouths closed by prioritizing listening, we elevate the fact that we “…have the right to remain silent. [Realizing what’s at stake is the fact that] Anything you say can and will be used against you…”
Exercising that “right” more often, is advisable. We don’t have to speak. And most certainly, it should not take priority over listening.
Speak second.
Speaking can be risky business. Remaining silent, to begin with, can help mitigate the danger. But there comes a point, given what’s at stake, that we need to break our silence.
In order of importance, speaking should follow listening. When the time comes, what should be our reason for breaking the silence?
The art of communication is not mastered by just knowing what to say and how to say it. A big factor is knowing when to say it. – Kevin Daum
The deciding factor may be the question implied in Franklin’s admonishment. How will it be of benefit to you or others? By benefit, I mean preservation or protection of your well-being, not that you profit from it.
However, in the case of it benefitting others, it should mean that they profit. That is, they are elevated, honored, or rewarded by what you have to say, and when you choose to say it. You might ask, How will they be blessed by what I say?
Don’t listen or speak.
As frequently as we are baited these days, avoid trifling conversation.
It is of little, or more likely, no value to even entertain most of what is being discussed publicly, simply because of the way it is being discussed. Not that there aren’t any substantive conversations, but that they are largely done without listening. Instead, volume is readily applied to what they feel they need to say.
Before we even seek to listen, it is more necessary that we find that person, group, or conversation that is more than trivial or frivolous, whereby significance, understanding, and meaning can be advanced.
In a word, be selective. In those discussions that seem prudent to join, put a priority on listening, and when the time is right, speak with precision.
Benjamin Franklin’s 13 Virtues – ebook & audio set
Drawing inspiration from Paul’s letter (Phil. 4:8) and Benjamin Franklin’s quest for virtuous living, this e-book and audio set aims to explore and put into practice these virtues as we exercise Wisdom In All Things.
Benjamin Franklin’s Grand Plan
Franklin’s “meticulous execution” of his 13 virtues was embodied in a chart he developed in order to observe and quantify his growth toward perfection.
There are a number of examples of his chart available, but here is one for reference.
Whether you use this chart, or devise something yourself, it is certainly in your best interest to have some tool in place to not only keep you focused, but to establish the habit of intentional growth in those characteristics that make up the virtuous life.
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Further reading:
Franklin autobiography
How long will we wait to speak up
5 reasons you should speak up even when you think you shouldn’t
