Back in High School, back in the times of BC (Before Computers), I wrote up a list of commandments I thought I should follow. I updated and revised them as I thought was needed, and recently stumbled across them. I last updated them more than ten years ago, but I don't think I'll change them any. I got the idea, by the way, from a Robert Heinlein book, Time Enough For Love, I believe, in which the main character, Lazarus Long, is talking to his children (I believe), and they're discussing the bible. His son is unhappy about the ten commandments, so Lazarus tells him to make up his own. I decided to do so myself. Any ways, without further ado, here they are. I'd be curious as to your opinions on mine, and maybe, if you'd like, list your own commandments. Some of mine are written with a slightly religious undertone that I'm not sure I like anymore, but the general idea still applies. I think. I. The word for everyone is Tolerance II. Thou shalt not kill, except in self-defense, including those of others, and for food. III. Remember each day, and keep it holy. IV. Respect your parents, as they respect you. V. Respect your children, as they respect you. VI. Put no thing before the ones you love. VII. Thou shalt cherish the one thou art with, if thou canst not be with the one thou lovest. If the one thou art with does not cherish you, then let him travel his own path, but be there when he returns. VIII. Do good for yourself, and those about you. IX. Respect thyself. X. Be not cruel to thine own self, nor shalt thou be cruel to others. XI. Revenge, if is must be served, is best served cold. XII. Say sweet things, for you may eat them tomorrow. XIII. Give trust freely, but in degrees. XIV. Look not for dirt in other homes, but keep your own house clean. XV. Remember: Your food died so you may live. Respect it. XVI. Do not give out advice, it is usually not heeded or wanted. If advice is given to you, listen, and consider. XVII. Keep personal letters, throw away bank statements. XVIII. No one has ever laid on their death bed saying, “I should have worked more overtime!” XIX. Think. XX. Challenge yourself. XXI. Treat your body well. XXII. Read, then think some more. XXIII. You are not always right. XXIV. Respect the earth, for we come from it, and respect the other things on earth, for they are our siblings. XXV. What two, or more, mature, consenting individuals do, is none of business. XXVI. Have fun. XXVII. Practical jokes are NOT funny XXVIII. The Government shall not involve itself in religion in any way
XXXIX. Thou shalt watch Ponies There are a few things on here I disagree with, such as XI, but they're still good commandments to live by.
XI has a complicated history. A more detailed explanation would be - Revenge is dangerous to wish for. If you want it, and feel you cannot rest without it, then go, but be warned - it will solve nothing. It came about because I found it impossible to talk people out of the idea of revenge, and, truth to tell, if some one hurt the ones I love, I'm not sure I could just walk away.
The only thing is if everyone worked hard, the world would be the place we want to live in, but that's not the case, because simply of human nature.
I feel that XI and XXVII could either be worded slightly differently or removed. But this is your personal list so I'm not asking you to change it at all. I think that revenge should be avoided and practical jokes have a limit. Other than that, I agree with what you say.
I'd like to make an ammendment to XI "...and screaming." I don't really think I need to write down any commandments for myself, these things should be a) Universal, for everypony... and b) Internal, we should be living by these anyway as people. So, instead I just have one... "Don't be a silly filly."
