In his “Project for Moral Perfection” one of the character traits Benjamin Franklin wanted to become morally perfect in the application of was Sincerity. He described this trait as: “Use no harmful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly.”

Franklin also wrote a book and titled it “The Art of Virtue.” If you haven’t read it, or even heard of it, go and find it. It’s worth the trouble!

In that book Ben proposed that one of the principles for happiness is truth and honesty. How true that is. He added: “If the rascals knew the advantage of virtue, they would become honest men out of rascality.” Then, about himself, he added “That is my only cunning.”

You’ll have to think about that statement to really understand his meaning. So give it some thought!