Not Just Rules: A Code to Live By
Classical insights on living with integrity, restraint, and quiet strength.
“Is morality just a set of rules we’re supposed to follow — or is there something deeper, something that would still matter even if no one were watching?”
It’s a question worth carrying around. Because behind it lies the real work of growing up: discovering how to live when the world isn’t grading us anymore.
For many of us, education teaches us how to think — to analyse, to structure, to solve. But it rarely teaches us how to live. The bigger questions — how to stay grounded in chaos, how to act with integrity under pressure, how to forgive, or when to speak — are often left untouched. And yet, these are the questions that return, over and over, across all seasons of life.
In searching for answers, I’ve often returned to an ancient list — ten virtues described in classical Sanskrit texts, including the Manu-smṛti (6.92) and echoed in the Upanishads and traditional subhāṣitas. They were not meant as commandments, but as reminders. Not hard rules, but living guidelines. They were intended to be practiced quietly, not performed publicly.
What follows is not a scholarly translation, nor a moral checklist. It is an attempt to rephrase these virtues in a language shaped by our time. A time of noise, temptation, restlessness, and unrelenting speed. What truly sustains us?
When you think of morality as merely a list of dos and don’ts, it can seem like a burdensome checklist, monitored by external eyes. Yet true righteousness is something entirely different. It is not a hollow obedience; it is an inward alignment. It’s like tuning your life to an invisible frequency that underlies all existence: a frequency that sings through the cycles of nature, through the rise and fall of civilizations, through every heartbeat and breath.
When you live in step with this deeper order, truth ceases to be just a policy; it becomes your nature. Speaking truthfully, acting fairly, honoring your commitments, are no longer strategies for public approval but quiet declarations of who you are. There is profound strength in this. Even someone who appears outwardly weak finds surprising courage and resilience when standing upon what is right. Over and over, history shows us that truth may be challenged, delayed, or mocked, but it is never ultimately defeated.
1. धृतिः (Dhṛtiḥ — Fortitude)
Dhṛti refers to the mental strength to hold steady in the face of difficulties, pain, or temptations. It is the unwavering commitment to one’s values and duties, regardless of personal discomfort or loss. Dhṛti allows a person to endure hardships without falling into despair or rash action. In practice, this means sticking to ethical decisions even when shortcuts promise quick relief or gain. It is not stubbornness but conscious resilience, rooted in wisdom. A person with dhṛti bears both prosperity and adversity with equanimity, continuing to perform righteous acts undeterred by obstacles. This steadiness anchors a society’s moral fabric.
2. क्षमा (Kṣamā — Forgiveness)
Kṣamā embodies the noble ability to forgive offenses and patiently endure provocation without retaliating in anger. It means understanding human imperfection and responding with compassion rather than vengeance. Forgiveness is not weakness; it demands inner strength to overcome the ego’s demand for revenge or vindication. Kṣamā maintains social harmony by breaking cycles of hostility. At a personal level, it frees one from the burden of grudges, allowing mental peace. In spiritual terms, it reflects the recognition that each being is growing, erring, and learning. It sustains family ties, friendships, and communities by absorbing minor hurts with grace.
3. दमः (Damaḥ — Self-restraint)
Dama is the discipline of the mind — the regulation of one’s thoughts, impulses, and desires. It is distinct from merely restraining the senses (which is covered by indriya-nigraha) and more about the internal governance of moods and intentions. Dama involves curbing greed, jealousy, arrogance, or impulsive thinking that could derail ethical living. This mental discipline underpins clarity of judgment and calmness. Without dama, even an outwardly controlled person can be agitated within. It is cultivated through reflection, meditation, and conscious ethical commitment. Dama ensures our motivations remain pure, guiding our choices toward long-term welfare, not fleeting urges.
4. अस्तेयम् (Asteyam — Non-stealing)
Asteyam is more than abstaining from theft. It encompasses not taking what is not rightfully ours by deceit, force, or even subtle manipulation. This includes misappropriating credit, hoarding common resources, or breaching trust for personal gain. Asteyam fosters respect for others’ property and rights, upholding social trust. It also cautions against covetousness that fuels theft. Practicing asteyam nurtures gratitude and sufficiency, reducing cravings. In business or professions, it means fairness, transparency, and honoring agreements. When widespread, it builds a community where people feel secure about their belongings and relationships, which is vital for prosperity and cooperation.
5. शौचम् (Shaucam — Purity)
Shaucam refers to both external cleanliness and internal purity of mind. Outer cleanliness—through bathing, keeping surroundings neat—supports health and discipline. Inner purity is about cultivating honest intentions, sincerity, and moral clarity. It is freedom from malice, deceit, and impure desires. Shaucam aligns us with truth and decency, encouraging speech and conduct that uplift rather than degrade. Ritual practices in many traditions emphasize shaucam to prepare the mind for higher thought and communion. It also has psychological benefits, as clutter and disorder can cloud the mind. Shaucam thus is foundational for living a life of dignity and spiritual aspiration.
6. इन्द्रियनिग्रहः (Indriya-nigrahaḥ — Restraint of the senses)
Indriya-nigraha is the controlled engagement of the senses — taste, sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Our senses continually seek stimulation, pulling the mind outward. Left unchecked, they can lead to indulgence, addiction, or actions that harm oneself and others. Indriya-nigraha means not suppressing the senses harshly, but wisely guiding them so they serve rather than rule us. It allows enjoyment of life’s pleasures in moderation, without becoming enslaved. For instance, eating for nourishment, not gluttony; appreciating beauty without lust. Such balance preserves health, relationships, and focus on higher goals. True freedom emerges when senses are disciplined, not unrestrained.
7. धीः (Dhīḥ — Discernment)
Dhī is the power of discernment — the intellectual and intuitive faculty that knows right from wrong, eternal from transient, and essential from trivial. It underpins ethical decision-making by guiding us through complexities where rules alone may not suffice. Dhī arises from study, reflection, experience, and a purified mind. It prevents us from being swayed by popular opinion or momentary emotions. With dhī, one weighs consequences and acts with foresight. It also means a depth of understanding that connects everyday choices to broader principles of dharma. Thus, dhī is the lighthouse of the mind, preventing us from drifting.
8. विद्या (Vidyā — Knowledge)
Vidyā here refers to all forms of true knowledge that elevate the mind — from practical skills to spiritual insight. It shapes character by providing perspective beyond narrow self-interest. Vidyā dispels ignorance, which is often the root of fear, prejudice, and unethical behavior. Learning fosters humility, curiosity, and empathy, as we recognize the vastness of what we do not know. In the context of dharma, vidyā ensures we understand duties, the workings of the world, and the subtle moral nuances of situations. A society that values vidyā progresses materially and morally, building institutions and cultures that honor truth.
9. सत्यम् (Satyam — Truthfulness)
Satyam is speaking and living truth. It involves more than avoiding lies; it means aligning speech, thought, and action with reality and honesty. Satyam fosters trust, which is the basis of all relationships and societal order. A truthful person is reliable, transparent, and courageous, not bending the truth for convenience or gain. However, classical dharma also teaches that truth should be spoken in a way that does not harm unnecessarily. Thus satyam is guided by compassion and context, balancing candor with kindness. Upholding satyam builds integrity within and ensures harmony without, making it a pillar of moral life.
10. अक्रोधः (Akrodhaḥ — Absence of anger)
Akrodha is the control of anger — not letting it dictate words or actions. Anger clouds judgment, damages relationships, and often leads to injustice. It may arise naturally, but akrodha means managing it through understanding, patience, and empathy. Recognizing that others act from their own ignorance or pain can soften the impulse to retaliate. Akrodha does not imply suppressing legitimate concerns; it means addressing them calmly and constructively. This quality transforms conflicts into opportunities for growth. Moreover, inner peace arising from akrodha enables one to respond to life’s challenges with wisdom and compassion, upholding dharma even under provocation.
Modern life offers countless examples of these principles at work. A company may dazzle investors with inflated figures, capturing headlines and admiration. But if built on deception, it often crumbles spectacularly when truth finally exerts its quiet, relentless pressure. By contrast, a small enterprise that grows slowly and honestly may lack glamour, yet stands firm across storms, becoming a source of steady livelihood and trust.
A life without righteousness is much like food without salt: it may look rich and plentiful, but lacks the very savor that makes it worthwhile. Integrity may seem like a modest thing, a hidden thread, but it binds the fabric of existence. Strip it away, and what remains is hollow, no matter how bright it appears on the surface.
In the end, righteousness is not about compliance with an external checklist. It is about becoming a person whose very being is shaped by truth, fairness, and compassion. When you live this way, you don’t simply follow morality — you embody it. You become a quiet source of light, steady and unwavering, illuminating your own path and gently lighting the way for others who walk beside you.
That, perhaps, is the greatest lesson any education can hope to impart. And it is a lesson that, once learned, continues teaching you for a lifetime.
Sources and References
Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.4.14 — “There is nothing greater than dharma… even the weak overcomes the strong through it.” Wisdomlib
Taittirīya Upaniṣad 1.11.1 — “Speak the truth, follow dharma.” Shlokam.org
Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.1.6 — True knowledge leads to self-realization; Śaṅkara’s commentary emphasizes liberation through vidyā. Wisdomlib
Kāṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.14 — “Arise! Awake! Learn from the wise.” Wisdomlib
Manu-smṛti 6.92 — Lists the ten virtues of dharma: dhṛti, kṣamā, dama, asteyam, śaucam, indriya-nigraha, dhī, vidyā, satyam, akrodha. Wisdomlib
Traditional subhāṣitas — Ethical teachings drawn from texts like Hitopadeśa and Mahā-Subhāṣita-Saṅgraha. Wisdomlib Subhāṣita