Informal Decalog

Mahatma Gandhi, still trying to make up his mind at Simla whether or not to attend a round table conference at London, retired from the world last week for his customary Day of Silence. Emerging 24 hours later, he was respectfully begged by British reporters to outline what he considered his Ten Commandments for an ideal life. St. Gandhi blinked modestly behind his glittering spectacles:

"It would be presumptuous of me to attempt to lay down rules for the conduct of others, but I don't mind telling you what my own rules of conduct have been. They are like so many lamp posts guiding me through life's pathway and they have guided numberless of my coworkers:

"1) Fearlessness.

"2) Truth.

"3) Belief in the equality of all the great faiths of the world.

"4) Belief in the equality of all mankind.

"5) Adherence to life's law that one's bread must be earned by the sweat of one's brow.

"6) Abstaining from the possession of things for themselves.

"7) Restraint of the palate, that is, eating for the mere sustenance of the body and abstaining from intoxicating drinks and drugs such as opium and tobacco.

"8) Swadeshi, the belief that man's primary duty is to serve his neighbor.

"9) Ahimsa, which may be translated into English as love.

"10) Bramacharya, which may be inadequately expressed as chastity."

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