Erasmus' Twenty-two Principles

I found the following list interesting. Though it was originally written for Christian knights of old, I think many of its precepts are worth reading and would greatly benefit us as a society.


Erasmus' Twenty-two Principles on How to Be Strong While Remaining Virtuous in a Dangerous World

(taken from the Enchridion Militis Christiani: A Guide for the Righteous Protector, by Erasmus)

First Rule: INCREASE YOUR FAITH (even if the entire world appears mad)

Second Rule: ACT UPON YOUR FAITH (even if you must undergo the loss of everything)

Third Rule: ANALYZE YOUR FEARS (you will find that things are not bad as they appear)

Fourth Rule: MAKE VIRTUE THE ONLY GOAL OF YOUR LIFE

(dedicate all your enthusiasm, all your effort, your leisure as well as your business)

Fifth Rule: TURN AWAY FROM MATERIAL THINGS

(if you are greatly concerned with money you will be weak of spirit)

Sixth Rule: TRAIN YOUR MIND TO DISTINGUISH GOOD AND EVIL

(let your rule of government be determined by the common good)

Seventh Rule: NEVER LET ANY SETBACK STOP YOU IN YOUR QUEST

(we are not perfect-this only means we should try harder)

Eighth Rule: IF YOU HAVE FREQUENT TEMPTATIONS, DO NOT WORRY

(begin to worry when you do not have temptation, for that is a sure sign that you cannot distinguish good from evil)

Ninth Rule: ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR AN ATTACK

(careful generals set guards even in times of peace)

Tenth Rule: SPIT, AS IT WERE, IN THE FACE OF DANGER

(keep a stirring quotation with you for encouragement)

Eleventh Rule: THERE ARE TWO DANGERS: ONE IS GIVING UP, THE OTHER IS PRIDE

(After you have performed some worthy task, give all the credit to someone else)

Twelfth Rule: TURN YOUR WEAKNESS INTO VIRTUE

(if you are inclined to be selfish, make a deliberate effort to be giving)

Thirteenth Rule: TREAT EACH BATTLE AS THOUGH IT WERE YOUR LAST

(and you will finish, in the end, victorious!)

Fourteenth Rule: DON'T ASSUME THAT DOING GOOD ALLOWS YOU TO KEEP A FEW VICES

(the enemy you ignore the most is the one who conquers you)

Fifteenth Rule: WEIGH YOUR ALTERNATIVES CAREFULLY

(the wrong way will often seem easier than the right way)

Sixteenth Rule: NEVER ADMIT DEFEAT EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN WOUNDED

(the good soldier's painful wounds spur him to gather his strength)

Seventeenth Rule: ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION

(so when the time comes for battle, you will know what to do)

Eighteenth Rule: CALM YOUR PASSIONS BY SEEING HOW LITTLE THERE IS TO GAIN

(we often worry and scheme about trifling matters of little importance)

Nineteenth Rule: SPEAK WITH YOURSELF THIS WAY:

(if I do what I am considering, would I want my family to know about it?)

Twentieth Rule: VIRTUE HAS ITS OWN REWARD

(once a person has it, they would not exchange it for anything)

Twenty-first Rule: LIFE CAN BE SAD, DIFFICULT, AND QUICK: MAKE IT COUNT FOR SOMETHING!

(since we do not know when death will come, act honorably every day)

Twenty-second Rule: REPENT YOUR WRONGS

(those who do not admit their faults have the most to fear)