Benjamin Frankin's 13 Virtues (1793):
Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity and Humility
Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity and Humility
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin's 13 Principles of Cheshbon Hanefesh (1808):
Peace of spirit, Patience, Order, Diligence, Cleanliness, Humility, Justice, Honesty in business, Staying engaged, Silence, Dealing with others thoughtfully/peacefully, Truth, Keeping away from sin
Peace of spirit, Patience, Order, Diligence, Cleanliness, Humility, Justice, Honesty in business, Staying engaged, Silence, Dealing with others thoughtfully/peacefully, Truth, Keeping away from sin
Reb Zusha was lying on his deathbed surrounded by his students. He was crying and no one could comfort him.
One student asked his rabbi, "Why do you cry? You were almost as wise as Moses and as kind as Abraham."
Reb Zusha answered, "When I pass from this world and appear before the Heavenly Tribunal, they won't ask me, 'Zusha, why weren't you as wise as Moses or as kind as Abraham.' Rather, they will ask me, 'Zusha, why weren't you Zusha?' And then what will I say?”
It is also said that Reb Zusha once told his students that he was worried about leading the community in prayer on Rosh Hashanah.
“But rabbi,” his students replied, “You are an expert leader of prayer. And furthermore, the words of the Machzor have not changed.”
“I am not worried about whether the words of the Machzor have changed,” Reb Zusha said. “I am worried about whether I have changed.”
One student asked his rabbi, "Why do you cry? You were almost as wise as Moses and as kind as Abraham."
Reb Zusha answered, "When I pass from this world and appear before the Heavenly Tribunal, they won't ask me, 'Zusha, why weren't you as wise as Moses or as kind as Abraham.' Rather, they will ask me, 'Zusha, why weren't you Zusha?' And then what will I say?”
It is also said that Reb Zusha once told his students that he was worried about leading the community in prayer on Rosh Hashanah.
“But rabbi,” his students replied, “You are an expert leader of prayer. And furthermore, the words of the Machzor have not changed.”
“I am not worried about whether the words of the Machzor have changed,” Reb Zusha said. “I am worried about whether I have changed.”