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Writer's pictureJeremy Smith

My personal "rules" for living

Updated: 5 days ago

The 25 guiding principles I use in my own life.

A moral code is a very personal thing, and I've been hesitant to share mine, for a few reasons. First, because I've assembled and refined my Rules over many years, from many different sources, I've long since lost their original origins, which can invite accusations of plagiarism. And second, I don't want you to think that I'm setting them out as universal advice (see Rule 11): my Rules have been helpful to me, but they may not "jibe" with you, your experiences, or your beliefs. Still, a few of my friends and colleagues have expressed interest in having a copy of them, and I assume they've adapted them, changed them, and added to them and removed things from them to suit their own needs. That's the spirit in which I'm offering them today. Take what you can use and discard the rest. And do keep in mind that, although a few of these Rules are my own thoughts, many others have come from different sources, and I don't mean to suggest that they're my own. In fact, if you're aware of some of those references and would like to share them in the Comments section below, I think that'd be very helpful! I've shared links to those sources where I can.


The Rules

  1. Keep an eye on the bigger picture: everything is relative, everything changes, and rules are made to be broken.

  2. Never give up, and never give in; never be cruel or cowardly. Always be brave, and never fail to be kind — and if you are, always make amends.

  3. Leave things in a little better shape than you found them.

  4. When you worry, you suffer twice.

  5. 90% of everything is crap, so keep things simple.

  6. Silence is sometimes the best answer.

  7. We can never gain anything without giving something in return; to create, something of equal value must be lost.

  8. Whatever your problems, the world will not expect any less of you; you must expect more of yourself.

  9. Never pass up an opportunity to improve yourself.

  10. Enjoy the little things; be thankful for what you have.

  11. Never give unsolicited advice, and remember that you could be wrong.

  12. Be aware of your limitations... but strive to surpass them.

  13. Give more than was asked for — and give it gladly.

  14. Act, don't react... but always have an out.

  15. Take one minute at a time: don't dwell on the past; strive for the best and prepare for the worst.

  16. Don't believe what you're told: double check.

  17. Passion in any argument is inversely proportional to the amount of real information advanced.

  18. Three confidants and the whole world knows your secrets.

  19. Man learns from history that man learns nothing from history.

  20. Don't attribute to malice things which are adequately explained by incompetence, and never discount the power of stupid people in large groups.

  21. Don't make threats you can't — or won't — follow through.

  22. A tool that can do one thing isn't good for anything.

  23. Respect yourself but take responsibility for your actions.

  24. Be open to change without sacrificing your values.

  25. No one will ever give you as much love, respect, or gratitude as you think you deserve. This is neither their failing nor yours.

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