In my case it would probably be Napoleon.
Viceroy:
a co worker of mine told me his favorite person was benjamin franklin. anyways the guy is a serial inventor, served as the diplomat to the french (effectively ending the war while banging a lot of hotties), and helped write the declaration of independence. anyways i found this gem of quotes: enjoy!
Thirteen Virtues
Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of 13 virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his 13 virtues as:
“Temperance . Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
“Silence . Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
“Order . Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
“Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
“Frugality . Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
“Industry . Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
“Sincerity . Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
“Justice . Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
“Moderation . Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
“Cleanliness . Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.”
“Tranquility . Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
“Chastity . Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”
“Humility . Imitate Jesus and Socrates .”
Franklin did not try to work on them all at once. Instead, he would work on one and only one each week “leaving all others to their ordinary chance.” While Franklin did not live completely by his virtues, and by his own admission he fell short of them many times, he believed the attempt made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness, which is why in his autobiography, he devoted more pages to this plan than to any other single point; in his autobiography Franklin wrote, “I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.”[177]
Sounds boring AF.
Boring is good. Consistent, boring, repetitive practice of achievable and measurable goals is the most important way to achieve greatness. But its ok if you don’t want to achieve greatness. Most people don’t. Most people want to be mediocre. Its easier that way, and attaining greatness and going outside your comfort zone is hard and unpleasant.
There are 3 people I admire. Augustus Caesar, napoleon Buonaparte, and Alexander the Great. I’m really into military crap, I was very close to joining the military as an officer when I was younger but I secured scholarships which actually paid me to go to school. If i had money problems though this would have been the perfect job for me.
birdman12345:
Viceroy:
a co worker of mine told me his favorite person was benjamin franklin. anyways the guy is a serial inventor, served as the diplomat to the french (effectively ending the war while banging a lot of hotties), and helped write the declaration of independence. anyways i found this gem of quotes: enjoy!
Thirteen Virtues
Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of 13 virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his 13 virtues as:
“Temperance . Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
“Silence . Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
“Order . Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
“Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
“Frugality . Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
“Industry . Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
“Sincerity . Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
“Justice . Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
“Moderation . Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
“Cleanliness . Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.”
“Tranquility . Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
“Chastity . Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”
“Humility . Imitate Jesus and Socrates .”
Franklin did not try to work on them all at once. Instead, he would work on one and only one each week “leaving all others to their ordinary chance.” While Franklin did not live completely by his virtues, and by his own admission he fell short of them many times, he believed the attempt made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness, which is why in his autobiography, he devoted more pages to this plan than to any other single point; in his autobiography Franklin wrote, “I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.”[177]
Sounds boring AF.
Boring is good. Consistent, boring, repetitive practice of achievable and measurable goals is the most important way to achieve greatness. But its ok if you don’t want to achieve greatness. Most people don’t. Most people want to be mediocre. Its easier that way, and attaining greatness and going outside your comfort zone is hard and unpleasant.
We are all mediocre, otherwise we wouldn’t be posting about greatness on an anonymous internet forum.
These quotes, while from a great man, are mostly platitudes that any puritain protestant could have written.
We (AF) are all mediocre? or We (Earth’s population) are all mediocre? It really all depends on what you define as mediocre. I would probably guess that most people on AF are above the median income for their home country. That isn’t mediocre is it?
I think he’s right, that no-one here really qualifies as one of the great people of history.
i dont think anyone is saying we are great. but we should all strive to be great. plus i think people who are successful typically admire some great person in history and have tried to live their life imitating that person.