Book of Virtues

For my History/Philosophy of Education class we are required to keep a book of virtues for two weeks. Never heard of a Book of Virtues? What? How dare you! It was, after all, a much loved task of Thomas Jefferson who thought that every one should constantly be making progress.

Here is the short and short of it:

You pick some vitrues that you think you need to work on. (We chose ten). And for any amount of time that you deem reasonable you try and use those virtues and to be perfect examples of them. Thomas (Yes we are on a first name basis) did this his whole life. So far, I have remembered for three days. Anyway, each day you mark down which of your chosen virtues you did well with and which ones you totally broke. Then you write yourself long meaningful entries about each virtue and why it is important and what it means and how you can be better.

Yea.

Here are my virtues:

1. Order – All things have their place.
2. Frugality – Waste nothing
3. Industry – Always be employed in something useful
4. Moderation – Avoid extremes. Especially in eating
5. Cleanliness – Be clean in body, mind, clothes, and habitation
6. Tranquility – Be undisturbed by unavoidable accidents
7. Caution – Avoid rashness
8. Confidence – Faith in oneself
9. Forbearance – Restraint, Patience

10.  Gratitude – Being thankful

So far I have not managed to show forbearance, but otherwise it is going very well. Perhaps I will become a better person after all. Or at least get an A.

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