“Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

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  I HEARD a thousand blended notes   While in a grove I sate reclined,  In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts  Bring sad thoughts to the mind.  To her fair works did Nature link  The human soul that through me ran;  And much it grieved my heart to think  What Man has made of Man.  Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower,  The periwinkle trail’d its wreaths;  And ’tis my faith that every flower  Enjoys the air it breathes.  The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,  Their thoughts I cannot measure,—  But the least motion which they made  It seem’d a thrill of pleasure.  The budding twigs spread out their fan  To catch the breezy air;  And I must think, do all I can,  That there was pleasure there.  If this belief from heaven be sent,  If such be Nature’s holy plan,  Have I not reason to lament  What Man has made of Man?

Franklin's Advice for the New Year

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America's first "self-made" man, Benjamin Franklin, resolved to improve himself by practicing virtues until they became habit. The beauty of his system is the ability to track failures as much as successes. These names of virtues, with their precepts, are:

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 


2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 


3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 


4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. 


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


6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. 


7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly. 


8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty. 


9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve. 


10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation. 


11. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. 


12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation. 


13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and   


From “His Autobiography” by Benjamin Franklin. (1706–1790). 

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