2008 MJC JAE 08s203
#1 Aishwarya
#2 Yi-Chen
#3 Bin Li
#4 Isabelle
#5 Wen Eng
#6 Wen Juan
#7 Liting
#8 Sousata
#9 Hadi
#10 Arravind
#11 King
#12 Ian
#13 Xu Tat
#14 Kim Hui
#15 Nashiran
#16 Kevin
#17 Zhen Jie
#18 Quan Xiang
#19 Shiva
#20 Zi Kai
OUR BELOVED TEACHERS:
CT/PHYSICS/PW
Dr Joseph Vaz
CHEMISTRY
Mr Daniel NahMr Wong Hoe Sing
Ms Cindy Ong
MATHEMATICS
Ms Chia Wai Leng
Ms Kok Ye Hong
ECONOMICS
Mr Robin Hon
GENERAL PAPER
Mr Kevin Hing
When most people today hear the word “virtue,” they usually don’t think “manliness.” Having virtue or being virtuous is looked at as being sissy or effeminate. In fact, we sometimes use the word in today’s vernacular to describe a woman’s sexual conduct.
However, virtue is far from being sissy or effeminate. The word “virtue” is actually rooted in “manliness.” “Virtue” comes from the Latin virtus, which in turn is derived from vir, Latin for “manliness.” Cicero, a famous Roman statesman and writer, enumerated the cardinal virtues that every man should try to live up to. They included justice, prudence, courage, and temperance. In order to have honor, a Roman man had to live each of the four virtues. When Aristotle encouraged men in the ancient world to live “the virtuous life,” it was really a call to man up.
Benjamin Franklin is an American legend. He single handily invented the idea of the “self-made man.” Despite being born into a poor family and only receiving two years of formal schooling, Franklin became a successful printer, scientist, musician, and author. Oh, and in his spare time he helped found a country, and then serve as its diplomat.
The key to Franklin’s success was his drive to constantly improve himself and accomplish his ambitions. In 1726, at the age of 20, Ben Franklin set his loftiest goal: the attainment of moral perfection.
In order to accomplish his goal, Franklin developed and committed himself to a personal improvement program that consisted of living 13 virtues. The 13 virtues were:
