"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

A quote by Benjamin Franklin. My idol! A Founding Father,a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman and diplomat. Talk about Jack of All Trades. The man did it all and did it all well. But he also enjoyed himself a beer or 12 every now and again. Franklin tried to live by these 13 virtues.

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 extremes; 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 dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
13. "HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

Imitate Jesus and Socrates. The kindness of Jesus, the wisdom of Socrates. However that statement brings another connotation along with it. That your philosophy and beliefs in life should not just be based on one individual, for instance the belief of Abrahamic religions that there is one prophet and you should follow in their footsteps in life. There are billions of people on this planet, you should learn from every single one of them. Your life style will always be shaped by those who influence you the most, but we should make a honest effort to find great influences. Look in to all historical figures, not just Jesus or Muhammad or Buddha. Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Galileo, and not surprisingly, Benajmin Franklin has become someone who we should model our lives after, as he claimed Jesus and Socrates to be such individuals. Modern day individuals may be good for inspiration as well, but not quite as much because of the fact that their life as a whole hasn't passed judgment yet. Whatever the case may be, attempt to find many influences with differing and proven methods of approaching life, and imitate some of their traits until they become your traits.

"... as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously."

Franklin never patented any of his inventions, he didn't believe in it. He was a innovator of open source before it was even contemplated. Open source hardware and software are becoming increasingly popular today. Copy written material is becoming less respected by general audiences. The ability for one persons idea to be shared with millions of people instantly is upon us. Intellectual property, inventions, media, are all becoming part of the public domain to the extant that it seems as if no one owns them. While many people are working hard against this happening it is only matter of time. When all of human creation is open source and shared with the masses than there will be no need for money anymore. Everyone will have something to offer to their community and in return their community will take care of them. Open Source Society.

Benjamin Franklin didn't quite put his ideas in the manner and context that I have just presented some of mine. But his words are what inspired me to come to these conclusions. Learn about all you can and participate in many diverse activities, base your code of conduct on many individuals who have proven over the course of time to have lived a moral and just life filled with great successes and achievements, and lastly and most distant from current reality, the best way for society and communities to survive IMO is to create an Open Source Society where everything that is created or offered is available to all. Everyone puts their fare share in to communal living and in return the community cares for them.