A few principles to live by

$\S$ You do not need to be a saint to act with compassion. We all have the capacity to be good; we are all the light of the world.

$\S$ You are no better or worse than anyone else. Even a child is your equal.

$\S$ Only the heart matters, for it dictates the light or darkness of our actions. The rest is deceit or vanity.

$\S$ Judge no one. Even if you see evil, remind yourself that only love conquers hate.

$\S$ Never resist an evil with violence or with another evil.

$\S$ When you are plowing, do not look back. Love is a good in itself.

$\S$ No form of communication, provided it is not insincere, is less meaningful than another.

$\S$ If you forgive everything, if you do not resist evil with evil, if you do good to those who harm you, there will never be a shortage of people who ridicule or ostracize you. Remind yourself, however, that the mere exercise of an ethic based on these principles illuminates the world, and that the world, whether it wants to or not, will feel its secret influence.

$\S$ Spiritual value is measured by the speed toward perfection, not by your current position. A criminal who improves is worth more than a virtuous man who does not grow.