Wisdom In All Things

Asking for wisdom is necessary, but asking the right person is crucial. King Solomon’s demonstrates for us that we should not only be willing, but that we ask for wisdom from the right person.

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I think it goes without saying—the world we live in is increasingly wolf-infested, and growing more so by the week. While we have our challenges and opposition to face, one could argue that the disciples had it even worse. Setting aside their obvious lack of creature comforts and technological advances, they were surrounded by a hostile culture and government—I have yet to hear of anyone in these times threatened with being thrown to the lions.

Regardless, we too are being sent out into this world, such as it is. A world that is too easily influenced and growing more hostile and dangerous to the truth. It is precisely the kind of environment that requires the right blend of Clark Kent and James Bond—or, should I say, a “wise-serpent, innocent-dove man”—to exercise wisdom in all things.

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Marriage was designed as the sole place for the purpose of venery to be satisfied. At least what Franklin points out—personal health and the wellbeing of a family—are realized when the expression of our sexual desires remains within the context of marriage.

If not for chastity, our unbridled expression leads to depletion. We’ll have less excitement, strength, peace, reputation, and most discouragingly, less to offer our spouse in marriage.

Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Chastity

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Clean, like, really clean—the way mom would clean something—is clean in back, and underneath, not just where someone might see. To do that, you need to pick up whatever you’re cleaning and inspect it. Cleanliness is being thoughtful, meticulous–and thorough. A quick dusting just doesn’t cut it.

While most of the virtues are applicable across our lives, I find that this one, in particular, is made for “wisdom in all things”. It necessarily applies to our minds, bodies, and souls. But more than a virtue, it might be better called a principal or discipline.

Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Cleanliness

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Franklin’s admonition is to “keep calm and carry on”. We can’t allow trifles and those events and circumstances that are common and unavoidable to trip us up or pull us away from what is actually important. The inability to find tranquility can develop into a perpetual state of being perturbed.

Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Tranquility

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Both Merriam-Webster and Franklin are in direct opposition to the mindset, and behavior, of exactly where our culture has been tracking for some time. Now, moderation is what you avoid, while extremes are what you embrace, pursue, live for—as if to argue that moderation is an extreme to be avoided.

More to the point is that moderation is to be applied broadly. That is, we are to moderate the expression of our opinions, just as we moderate the consumption of ice cream.

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Unfortunately, we don’t hear much of duty these days. I feel that the idea of duty has been absorbed and used as a form of narcissism. That is, we have a duty unto ourselves to ensure that we get justice.

However, Benjamin rightly prescribed justice as being toward others. The responsibility we have to be “morally right and fair” is outward-facing. What he doesn’t state, but I believe he would agree with, is that our duty to others may mean a sacrifice on our part.

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We do have the option of not speaking. Fewer words are normally more prudent. And, our being “slow to speak” (James 1:19), gives speaking and acting with sincerity its truest aim.

Franklin’s first four words ("Use no hurtful deceit") really describe a principle. The foundation on which we should first, govern what we think, and then, guide what may follow from those thoughts.

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First, consider that there must be no room for waste in being industrious. No minute is left unscrutinized or unaccounted for. If you’re going to spend any time, spend it constructively. Time is not lost or wasted, as long as we’re moving forward on what is worthwhile.

Industry requires that we be vigilant as with a machete, whacking away at anything that resembles the unnecessary.

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There really are two aspects to enabling growth. Stop doing what you shouldn’t, and start doing what you should. It would be counterproductive to only do one or the other. Pursuing frugality should lead us to “backfill the hole”, but also produce a level of wealth and autonomy that puts us in the driver’s seat.

Being free and clear puts us in a better position to say 'yes' when presented with the right opportunity. Having a choice is freeing!

Read the transcript for Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Frugality

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