Friday, April 15, 2011

Thomas Jefferson's Ten Rules for Living a Good Life

Today on our nightly walk around our neighborhood, I spotted a postcard in the gutter. It was addressed to someone in the area, but at least half a mile away (we weren't sure, but we knew the street was close). It was such a freaky situation because it was dated 2003 - why was it on the street today?!

We (read: I) decided to go on an adventure to find the house it was originally sent to and leave it in their mailbox. I hope it was the right thing to do. I just wondered if they missed it...

So we found the house, which is just blocks from our own, and left it on the porch. But on our way, I read the front of the card which featured "Thomas Jefferson's Ten Rules for Living a Good Life." This woman's father sent her a postcard from Charlottesville, Virginia (home of Jefferson) in 2003. I wonder why and if she ever saw his message before today!

This list features some fabulous pieces of advice, and I had to share them! I think it's so cool that these were written something like 200 years ago (since I totally just Wikipedia-ed him and he died 185 years ago), but these are sooo applicable to my life today!
  1. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
  2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
  3. Never spend your money before you have it.
  4. Never buy what you do not want because it's cheap; it'll never be dear to you.
  5. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.
  6. Never repent of having eaten too little.
  7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
  8. Don't let the evils which have never happened cost you pain.
  9. Always take things by their smooth handle.
  10. When angry, count to 10 before you speak; if very angry, count to 100.
These are speaking to me - especially #4, #6 and #10!!

3 comments:

Rebekah said...

Oh, wow! I wonder if the person had ever gotten it?? Those are really great things to live by!

MCW said...

Smart man. Liking #5 at the moment!

Jillian said...

what a great thing you did!

That list is full of advice!