Handbook for Civilization

Handbook for Civilization

W. J. Rock

Copyright © 2010 by W. J. Rock.

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-4500-9445-0

ISBN: Ebook    978-1-4500-9446-7

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

THE BILL OF RIGHTS

THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

SANTA BARBARA DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE

BILL OF RESPONSIBILITIES

INTRODUCTION

It is my belief that some wisdom is needed for today’s world. This book attends to it. There are numerous quotations and sayings for the reader’s perusal and consideration. It is essentially a book of values, ideas, and ideals. Thinkers from various times and cultures have been utilized.

Part I consists of various items for civilization such as the four cardinal virtues, five pillars of Islam, Gandhi’s seven sins, and the eight Beatitudes. Part II consists of quotations from A to Z, abilities to zeal. It includes such concepts as culture, education, freedom and justice. Diverse voices are represented ranging from Socrates to Thomas Jefferson to Nelson Mandela. Part III consists of important historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It is my hope that the book will provide wisdom and insights for all to ponder. Perhaps it will generate some additional understanding and discussion for the vitality of our democracy.

PART ONE

The World Peace Prayer

Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from despair to hope, from fear to trust, lead us from hate to love, from war to peace; let peace fill our hearts, let peace fill our world, let peace fill our universe.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

For His sacred majesty desires that all animate beings should have security, self-control, peace of mind, and joyousness.

Ashoka

The Pillar Edicts

To know the Eternal Law is enlightenment. And not to know the eternal law is to court disaster. He who knows the eternal law is tolerant. Being tolerant, he is impartial; being impartial, he is kingly; being kingly, he is in accord with nature; being in accord with nature, he is in accord with Tao; being in accord with Tao, he is eternal, and his whole life is preserved from harm.

Lao Tzu

The Book of Tao

I am not a doer of wrong to men, I am not one who slayeth his kindred. I am not one who telleth lies instead of truth. I am not conscious of treason. I am not a doer of mischief. I am not a transgressor against a God.

Egyptian Book of the Dead

I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury or wrongdoing. Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course.

Hippocratic Oath

Civil Rights’ Marcher’s Pledge

"Pledge: Standing before the Lincoln Memorial, I affirm my complete personal commitment for the struggle for jobs and freedom for all Americans.

"To fulfill that commitment, I pledge that I will not relax until victory is won.

"I pledge that I will join and support all actions undertaken in good faith in accord with the time-honored democratic tradition of nonviolent protest, of peaceful assembly and petition and of redress through the courts and legislative process.

"I pledge to carry the message of the March to my friends and neighbors back home and to arouse them to an equal commitment and an equal effort. I will march and I will write letters. I will demonstrate and I will vote. I will work to make sure that my voice and those of my brothers ring clear and determined from every corner of our land.

I will pledge my heart and my mind and my body, unequivocally and without regard to personal sacrifice, to the achievement of social peace through social justice.

Bayard Rustin

Where mercy, love, and pity dwell there God is dwelling too.

William Blake

Conquer rage with humility, conquer evil with goodness, conquer greed with generosity, and conquer lies with truth.

Dhammapada, Buddhist Wisdom

The Universal Prayer

Teach me to feel another’s woe

to hide the fault I see

That mercy I to others show

that mercy show to me.

Alexander Pope

Irish Blessing

May your neighbors respect you,

trouble neglect you,

the angels protect you,

and heaven accept you.

Effective Character Education is based on core ethical values which form the foundation of democratic society, in particular, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, caring, justice, fairness, civic virtue and citizenship.

The Aspen Declaration

(Josephson Institute of Ethics)

The capacity for Democratic Citizenship must be nurtured in institutions such as families, neighborhoods, schools, faith communities, local governments, and political movements. Democracy must attend carefully to the health of these institutions.

A Nation of Spectators

National Commission on Civic Renewal

To establish a new world order of compassion, peace, justice and security, it is essential that mankind free itself from the limitations of national prejudice and acknowledge that the forces that unite it are incomparably deeper than those that divide it—that all people are part of one Global Community, dependent on one body of resources, bound together by the ties of a common humanity, and associated in a common adventure on the planet earth.

A Declaration of Interdependence

Henry Steele Commager

Jefferson’s Motto: Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.

Locke’s dictum: . . . In all sorts of reasoning, every single argument should be managed as a mathematical demonstration, the connection and dependence of ideas should be followed, till the mind is brought to the source on which it bottoms, and can trace the coherence through the whole train of proofs.

Pascal’s Wager: Either there is a God, and your life and death are but the prelude to an eternal career of bliss or damnation; or there is no God, and your lot is as the lot of all other clods of moist earth.

The Eternal Law

The plan of God’s wisdom, directing all created things towards their purposes in God’s scheme for the universe.

The Natural Moral Law

The light of natural reason to discern what is good and to be done, and what is bad and to be avoided.

The Golden Rule

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Treat others the same way that you would want to be treated by them.

(Benevolence, Kindness, Compassion, Tolerance)

2 Principles of Natural Moral Law

Good is to be done and evil avoided.

Live according to reason—in conformity with our rational nature.

2 Great Commandments

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, thy whole soul, thy whole mind, and thy whole strength.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

There is no other commandment greater than these.

3 Building Blocks of Monastic Wisdom

Contemplation

1) Prayer, work, hospitality

2) Silence, reverence, simplicity, discernment

3) Patience, stability, obedience, love

3 Laws of Karma (Hinduism)

Confront the reality of our own spiritual nature

Serve our fellow human beings

Express our unique talent

3 Theological Virtues

Faith

Hope

Charity

3 Criteria for True Heroes

1) They accomplish something extraordinary;

2) They show moral valor, especially in adversity; and

3) They are great souls who lift us up through their high-minded, noble example.

Peter Gibbon

3 Essential Steps to Integrity:

1) Discerning what is right and what is wrong.

2) Acting on what you have discerned, even at a personal cost.

3) Saying openly that you are acting on your understanding of right from wrong.

Stephen Carter

4 Moral (Cardinal) Virtues

Prudence is the guide that directs all other virtues

Prudence—good judgment

considers actions as good or bad

Justice—give our neighbor his rights

Fortitude—courage to always do right despite obstacles

Temperance—reasonable use of sense pleasures

control of desires

4 Core Values of Quakerism

Non-violence

Simplicity

Social Justice

Gender Equality

4 Noble Truths of Buddhism

Life is suffering and pain

The cause of suffering is selfish desire

The cure is to overcome selfish craving and be released into universal life

The way out of captivity is through the eightfold path

4 Sayings of Confucius

If there be righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character

If there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home

If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation

If there be order in the nation, there will be peace in the world

5 Great Enemies to Peace

Five great enemies to Peace inhabit with us:

Avarice

Ambition

Envy

Anger

Pride

If those enemies were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual Peace.

Petrarch

5 Pillars of Islam

There is no God but God, and Muhammed is His prophet

Be constant in prayer

Those who have much should lift the burden of those less fortunate

One must fast during the holy month

Once during one’s lifetime, he must make a pilgrimage to Mecca

5 Precepts of Buddhism

Do not kill

Do not steal

Do not lie

Do not be unchaste

Do not drink intoxicants

6 Questions to Ask of New Technology

What is the problem to which this Technology is a solution?

Whose problem is it?

What new problems might be created because we have solved the old problems?

Which people and what institutions might be more seriously harmed by a technological solution?

Which changes in language are being enforced by the new technologies?

What sort of people and institutions acquire special economic and political power because of the technological change?

Neil Postman

7 Deadly Sins

Pride (arrogance)

Greed (selfishness)

Envy (jealousy)

Sloth (laziness)

Wrath (anger)

Lust (hedonism)

Gluttony (overconsumption)

Gandhi’s Seven Sins

1) Wealth without work

2) Pleasure without conscience

3) Knowledge without character

4) Commerce without morality

5) Science without humanity

6) Worship without sacrifice

7) Politics without principle

7 Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked

Shelter the homeless

Visit the imprisoned

Comfort the sick

Bury the dead

7 Sacred Virtues

1) The humility to know that we are not alone in the world.

2) The generosity to allow others to have what they deserve.

3) The restraint to control our most passionate impulses.

4) The kindness to tolerate the mistakes of our fellow man.

5) The moderation to satisfy ourselves with the necessities.

6) The charity to help those who are unable to help themselves.

7) The diligence to make ourselves useful in the modern world.

Marilyn Vos Savant

7 Spiritual Works of Mercy

Admonish sinners

Instruct the ignorant

Counsel the doubtful

Comfort the sorrowful

Be patient with those in error

Forgive offenses

Pray for the living and the dead

7 Principles of Kwanzaa (‘first fruit")

Unity (Umoja)

Self-determination (Kujichagulia)

Collective work and responsibility (Ujima)

Cooperative economics (Ujamaa)

Purpose (Nia)

Creativity (Kuumba)

Faith (Imani)

7 Principles of Just-War Theory

1) Just cause (defense against an attack)

2) Right authority (established political authorities, not private citizens)

3) Right intention (not lust for power)

4) Good outcome (more good must result than the evil done by violence)

5) Proportionality (no more force than necessary)

6) Reasonable hope for success

7) Last resort (all nonviolent means of diplomacy must have been exhausted)

7 Effective Habits of Success

Take the initiative—seize the moment

Begin with a sense of mission and core values

Put first things first—top priorities

Think win-win in all situations—not win-lose

Seek first to understand before judging and acting

Synergize—create together something better than each had originally

Sharpen your conscience

Steven Covey

8 Fold Path of Buddhism to Enlightenment

Right knowledge (reasonable convictions)

Right aspiration (identify with welfare of all)

Right speech (language of charity)

Right conduct-behavior (kindness over self-seeking)

Right livelihood (work that promotes life)

Right effort (develop virtues, curb passions, transcend evil mind states)

Right mindfulness (understanding over ignorance—self-awareness)

Right absorption or contemplation (a change experience into new kind of creature without delusion, craving or hostility)

The Eight Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God

Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Confucius’ 9 things of which a Great Man must be mindful:

1) To see when he looks

2) To hear when he listens

3) To have a facial expression of gentleness

4) To have an attitude of humility

5) To be loyal in speech

6) To be respectful in service

7) To inquire when in doubt

8) To think of the difficulties when angry

9) To think of justice when he sees an advantage

9 Ideals of Quakerism

1) For what is right; not what is expedient.

2) For courage and conviction; not weak submission to incipient evil.

3) For love and forbearance; not hatred and strife.

4) For peace and brotherhood among nations; not war and preparations for war.

5) For wholesome recreations; not corrupting diversions.

6) For fair and honest dealing; not injustice and avarice.

7) For moderation in all things; not extravagance in many things.

8) For pure every-day living; not spasmodic goodness.

9) For sincerity and freedom in belief; not cant and narrowness

The 10 Commandments (Catholic)

I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before Me

Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Keep holy the day of the Sabbath.

Honor thy father and thy mother.

Thou shall not kill.

Thou shall not commit adultery.

Thou shall not steal.

Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife.

Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods.

The 10 Commandments (Protestant)

I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Honor thy father and thy mother.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet.

The 16 Basic Desires that define human actions and personalities:

1) Power

2) Independence

3) Curiosity

4) Acceptance

5) Order

6) Saving

7) Honor

8) Idealism

9) Social contact

10) Family

11) Status

12) Vengeance

13) Romance

14) Eating

15) Physical exercise

16) Tranquility

What makes individuals unique is the combination and ranking of these desires.

Steven Reiss, author

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit—

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a fellow turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out.

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor’s cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out—

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,—

It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.

Author Unknown

Religion, morality, and knowledge being essentially necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of instruction shall forever be encouraged . . .

Northwest Ordinance

PART TWO

A

Human spiritual Abilities include learning from previous generations, thinking about the purpose of existence, improving our characters, evaluating the consequences of our actions, restraining bodily desires, and making moral and ethical choices.

Rabbi Abraham Twerski

If you want to bring anything to a successful conclusion, you must Accommodate yourself to the task, not the task to yourself.

St. Ignatius Loyola

. . . Any individual Act has some circumstance by which it is drawn into the class either of good or bad acts, at least in virtue of the intention . . . but if an act is not deliberate . . . (such as stroking the beard or moving a hand or foot), it is not properly speaking a human or moral act . . . and so it will be indifferent, that is, outside the class of moral acts.

St. Thomas Aquinas

Act only on that maxim whereby you