Answer:
Silence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quoted sentences are taken from Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, where he details the 13 virtues that, after consulting various sources revolving the topic, he found most often cited within them and desirable to be embodied in himself. These virtues were temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility.
Silence in particular was something that he found easier to develop than the first virtue, temperance, though he still desires to reduce this tendency, as quoted from the autobiography: "... and therefore wishing to break a habit I was getting into prattling, punning, and joking, which only made me acceptable to trifling company ..."