Mission statements come in many shapes, sizes and colors. They can be speeches or can be poems, they can even be long essays on what you  want to achieve in life and how you will go about doing it.

Few days back,  I came across mission statement of Benjamin Franklin on www.franklincovey.com. Mr. Franklin’s mission statement is not a speech, its not even a essay, neither is it a poem. It’s much simpler than that. It’s his set of values statements. This post present Benjamin Franklin’s mission statement.


The Mission Statement

Mr. Franklin’s mission statement is a very simple set of statements. The wonderful thing about this mission statement pattern is that it is once you know your personal values, it is simple to create. Below are the personal values of Benjamin Franklin that is also his mission statement as claimed by www.franklincovey.com.

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.

Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

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.

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.

Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

In next few posts, we will present mission statements of many great leaders of the world. If you would like to get these mission statements and other posts go ahead and subscribe via RSS or subscribe via email.

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia