BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was a statesman, an inventor, a publisher, a musician, a postmaster, a scientist, a civic activist, a Founding Father of the United States – he was a real over-achiever!

The key to getting so much done may have resided in a notion of his called the 13 Virtues. In an effort to be the very best person he could possibly be, Mr Franklin drew up a list of things he ought to aspire to. And he checked his progress on them every day.

They included moderation in eating and drinking, letting all aspects of his life have their place and time, not spending money unless it was to do good for himself or others, wronging no person, thinking innocently and justly, and imitating Jesus Christ in humility.

Did he succeed? Not always. His increasing girth in portraits show that moderation in food and drink was a struggle, for example. But did he benefit from trying. Undoubtedly!

If we set ourselves high standards we will, inevitably, fall short. But we will still rise higher in the attempt than if we had set no standards at all.

. See also Quantum Leaps: Benjamin Franklin