Considering the interests of others, not merely our own interests, and acting on that consideration, is an early step toward justice, commonly called being fair. Man was born free; but everywhere ... Read More about Being Fair
Cycle-of-Life Season
Restraining Self
Not doing ill is a first component of, or a first step toward, doing good. Self-restraint is the avoidance of harmful actions, as expressed by "thou shalt not kill." Strict pacifists are committed to ... Read More about Restraining Self
Acknowledging the Humanity of Others
In the intellectual domain, to be ethical, we must first acknowledge that other people are human, as we are. The fundamental building block of interpersonal relationships is the acknowledgement of ... Read More about Acknowledging the Humanity of Others
Being Non-malevolent
Long before we get to Love, we may have to rid ourselves of any malevolent feelings. These are unhealthy emotional states toward others, or toward the self. The corresponding emotion for the first ... Read More about Being Non-malevolent
Avoiding Harm
The first of four levels of ethical development is the do-no-harm, or “thou shalt not” stage. We come to the first fleshing out of our relationships with others. As in medicine, the first rule is to ... Read More about Avoiding Harm
Being Mindful
Slow down. Be aware of simple things. They are essential building blocks of our lives. Mindfulness is to be aware of everything you do every day. Mindfulness is a kind of light that shines upon all ... Read More about Being Mindful
Living in Equanimity
There is little to be gained by becoming agitated about what has been. If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men ... Read More about Living in Equanimity
Being Patient
Patience is humility in relation to time. . . . adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience. [Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Education"] Every man must patiently bide his time. He must wait -- not in ... Read More about Being Patient
Forbearing
In the domain of action, an essential first step is doing nothing, when that is the best we can do. If anyone who has been once or twice warned remains obdurate, do not argue with him . . . [Thomas ... Read More about Forbearing