本杰明·富兰克林自我完善的十三条美德，初读像自我约束的戒律，随着时间推移，品味到这是一份幸福生活的指引。
1.节制。食不过饱；饮不过量。
2.沉默。除非于人于己有利，否则不谈；避免琐屑的谈话。
3.秩序。物有定处，事有定时。
4.决心。该做的事就下决心去做；决定做的事就把它做成。
5.节俭。花费要于人或于己有益，即不浪费。
6.勤劳。勿浪费时间；时间要花在有用的事上；去除一切不必要的活动。
7.诚恳。勿为有害之欺诈；勿思邪恶，唯念正义；如有言，言必诚。
8.正直。不要施行有害行为，也不要忽略你所应给予他人的利益。
9.中庸。勿趋极端，尽可能忍受你认为应得的伤害。
10.清洁。身体、衣服与习惯，不许不洁。
11.宁静。勿为琐事或普通和不可避免的事件而自扰。
12.贞洁。除非为了健康和后嗣不行房事；行房事的时候，不要做到无味、衰弱或者损害你的或别人的安宁或名誉。
13.谦逊。效法耶稣与苏格拉底。
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 employ'd 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 extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness.
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
11. Tranquillity.
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity.
13. Humility.
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
以上指引，时常自我检视。
