What Is Tranquility? Franklin's Eleventh Virtue on Inner Peace
Be not disturbed at trifles. Learn what the Stoics taught about ataraxia and the dichotomy of control.
In a world of constant notifications, breaking news, and manufactured urgency, Benjamin Franklin's eleventh virtue—Tranquility—offers a radical alternative: inner peace preserved against external chaos.
Franklin's tranquility closely parallels Stoic philosophy. Both teach that serenity comes not from controlling circumstances but from controlling our reactions to them.
Key Takeaways
- Franklin defined tranquility as: "Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
- It distinguishes between trifles (small annoyances) and inevitable accidents (unavoidable misfortunes)
- The Stoics called this ataraxia—freedom from emotional disturbance
- Key insight: most disturbances aren't worth being disturbed about
What Did Benjamin Franklin Say About Tranquility?
"Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
Two categories of things not to be disturbed by: trifles (minor annoyances) and common/unavoidable accidents (inevitable difficulties). Together, these cover most of what disturbs us.
The Ancient Wisdom on Tranquility
Marcus Aurelius: The Inner Citadel
"You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
Epictetus: The Dichotomy of Control
"Some things are within our power, while others are not."
Focus on what you can control (your judgments, reactions, choices). Accept what you cannot (external events, others' behavior). This division is the foundation of Stoic tranquility.
Seneca: On Tranquility of Mind
Seneca wrote an entire treatise De Tranquillitate Animi on achieving peace of mind—reducing desires, accepting fate, and maintaining equanimity through adversity.
Buddha: Equanimity
The Buddhist concept of upekkha (equanimity) parallels Franklin's tranquility—a balanced state of mind undisturbed by pleasure or pain, gain or loss.
Don't Just Read About It—Practice It
The Ben Franklin Virtues app turns this into a daily habit: the same 13-virtue chart, with morning and evening reflection prompts built in.
Free to download · No account needed · 2 minutes a day
What Makes Franklin's Approach Different?
Practical Categories
Franklin's "trifles" and "unavoidable accidents" give practical categories for daily life. Traffic delays? Trifle. Health challenges? Unavoidable accident. Neither deserves disturbance.
The Test of Disturbance
Every frustration can be tested: Is this a trifle? Is this unavoidable? If yes to either, practicing tranquility means choosing peace over disturbance.
Tranquility in the Modern World
The Anxiety Economy
Modern media profits from disturbing you. Breaking news, outrage content, fear-inducing headlines—all designed to make you unsettled. Tranquility requires limiting exposure to manufactured disturbance.
How to Practice Tranquility Today
- The Trifle Test — Ask: Is this really worth being disturbed about?
- The Control Test — Can I change this? If not, accept it
- News diet — Limit exposure to content designed to disturb
- Daily stillness — Build quiet, reflective time into each day
Track your practice using the Ben Franklin Virtues app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Continue Reading
View allWhat Is Cleanliness as a Virtue? Franklin's Tenth Virtue
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation. Learn how external order supports mental clarity and discipline.
What Is Chastity? Franklin's Twelfth Virtue Explained
Franklin's most misunderstood virtue isn't about abstinence—it's about moderation and avoiding harm. Learn his practical approach.
You Just Read How Franklin Did It. Now Do It Yourself.
The app turns this article into a daily habit—Franklin's own 13-virtue chart, morning and evening reflection prompts, and progress tracking, right on your phone.
- Free to download
- No account needed
- 2 minutes a day
5-star rated · Built from Franklin's original 1726 system
Scan for your phone