1. Accept everything just the way it is.
Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t. You are better off accepting the world around you and focusing on what you can do within it.

2. Do not seek pleasure for it’s own sake.
When you seek pleasure it should be from something lasting and present, not something fleeting and detrimental. We all seek pleasure, but we would be wise to focus on the pleasures that last for lifetimes.

3. Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
When you act, you are better off being certain of what you are doing, not wavering or being full of doubt.

4. Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
Don’t take yourself too seriously, and be humble by knowing that the world is so much more than yourself. Pay attention to what’s around you and seek wisdom from everywhere. Being focused on yourself alone is not the path to wisdom.

5. Be detached from desire your whole lifelong.
Chase your dreams, but also live your life as it unfolds. Goals are fine but don’t let them determine your happiness. Dwelling on what-ifs and questioning your decisions only diminish the time you have on this world.

6. Do not regret what you have done.
Life should not be about regrets. It is simple to look back and think of things you should have done or decisions you could have made, but the past is gone. Regretting it is pointless. After all, we don’t know what the future holds and this journey you’re on might be exactly what takes you where you truly wish to go.

7. Never be jealous.
Comparison is the thief of joy. There is no point in being jealous of other individuals and letting these thoughts drag you into depression. Instead, spend your energy on things that you can control.

8. Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.
Death is part of life and many people you love will come and go. You can’t let this get you down, because it is not the distance that matters. If you keep them close to your heart, they will always be near you.

9. Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.
Complaining about things or hating people is counter-productive. You get nothing out of it and it only turns you into a more cynical person. Instead, move forward.

10. Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.
Acting on emotional reflex is simple, but often irrational. Treat yourself with respect. Love is important, but don’t put yourself in positions that you wouldn’t wish for yourself.

11. In all things have no preferences.
You can have favorites, but what you shouldn’t have is a closed mind. Be open to new experience and trying new things. If you don’t experience new things, then what is the point of living?

12. Be indifferent to where you live.
It doesn’t matter where you are, living is living. You can move if you don’t like where you are, but eventually you’ll realize it’s all the same.

13. Do not pursue the taste of good food.
We should eat for our health and nutrition, not for the taste of food. While it is alright to indulge occasionally, we must all be wary of becoming addicted to good food and forgetting our health.

14. Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
Things don’t matter, especially those that are of no value to you. Take the advice of the minimalist. Only keep what you truly need, because it leads to a freer life.

15. Do not act following customary beliefs.
It’s easy to follow others, but when you do so you lose part of your independence. Try to form your own opinion on what is happening and let them guide you. Remember that by learning about all ways, you become more in accord with your own.

16. Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
Master what you need and not distract yourself with unnecessary tools.

17. Do not fear death.
We can all die at any moment. There’s no rhyme or reason in the world, which means that death will happen when it happens. Being afraid of it accomplishes nothing.

18. Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
Valuable possessions mean nothing when you are gone. Collecting them - even fantasizing about them - is a waste of time. There are much better things you can be doing than lusting after objects.

19. Respect Buddha and the Gods without counting on their help.
Believing in the gods and expecting things from the gods are two different things. Life is in your control, don’t count on luck to make things happen. Instead, be humble, work hard, acknowledge there is something greater than you, and show gratitude for the time you have.

20. You may abandon your own body, but you must preserve your honor.
Your time on this world is short, but your legacy and what that means will far outlast you. Be sure to act with this thought in mind. Don’t do things that you can’t live with.

21. Never stray from The Way.
There is a path you are on and you should either follow it exactly or toss it aside and find a new one. Either way, you choose a path and follow it with all you have, for it is a symbol of the choices you have made and the beliefs you have accepted.