Since the time, many millennia ago when Moses went upon the mountain to talk to God. First God was in the form of the burning bush and later he gave Moses the two tablets of the ten commandments. Much of western society use the Ten Commandments as a measure for what is good behavior. From the first, when Moses descended the mountain, he found the people celebrating life in a manner which he know would not please Adonai. There are times human beings follow the commandments and times we have strayed very far from their guiding precepts.
There have been other rules given later in history that fill in the gaps between the original ten commandments. These were recorded by Hazrat Inayat Khan and brought out of India to the West.
Golden Rules
My conscientious self:
Keep to your principles in prosperity as well as in adversity.
Be firm in faith through life’s tests and trials.
Guard the secrets of friends as your most sacred trust.
Observe constancy in love.
Break not your word of honor whatever may befall.
Meet the world with smiles in all conditions of life.
When you posses something, think of the one who does not possess it.
Uphold your honor at any cost.
Do not neglect those who depend on you.
Silver Rules
My conscientious self:
Consider duty as sacred as religion.
Use tact on all occasions.
Place people rightly in your estimation.
Be no more to anyone than you are expected to be.
Have regards for every soul.
Do not challenge anyone who is not your equal.
Do not make a show of your generosity.
Do not ask a favor of those who will not grant it to you.
Meet your shortcomings with a sword of self-respect.
Let not your spirit be humbled in adversity.
Copper Rules
My conscientious self:
Consider your responsibility sacred.
Be polite to all.
Do nothing which will make your conscience feel guilty.
Extend your help willingly to those in need.
Do not look down upon the one who looks up to you.
Judge not another by your own law.
Bear no malice against against your worst enemy.
Influence no one to do wrong.
Be prejudiced against no one.
Prove trustworthy in all your dealings.
Iron Rules
My conscientious self:
Make no false claims.
Speak not against others in their absence.
Do not take advantage of a person’s ignorance.
Do not boast of your good deeds.
Do not claim that which belongs to another.
Do not reproach others, making them firm in their faults.
Do not spare yourself in the work which you must accomplish.
Render your services faithfully to all who require them.
Seek not profit by putting someone in straits.
Harm no one for your own benefit.

Quote by Rumi

Cleveland skyline from Huntington Beach. Photographed and copyrighted by Barbara Mattio 2010
Reblogged this on The Hunt FOR Truth and commented:
Ah, Golden Rules
Whew, “speak not against others in their absence”. I need a few lessons in that particular one. I love these commandments, though.
Barbara, this is really good. I don’t know how you managed to come up with all these “rules”, but every single one I can relate to, and yes, I really strive to live my life by. I love the quote by Rumi. That is me in a nutshell. Thank you for this post. Love, Amy
Thanks for this really thought provoking post.
Emma 🙂
Beautiful post! It needs to be on the front page of every newspaper in america. This is a message of hope, not religion! Bravo.
I started following your blog today. I love your content and look forward to reading them often.
I love the way you’ve categorised these rules, Barbara – it makes them stand out better. Love your work 🙂
Thank you so much Ina. I value your words. Have a good day. Hugs, Barbara