The Commons  ·  A daily gathering of life principles
Wednesday 3 June

Rules for the examined life.

Explore the small, hard-won truths that guide others. Borrow the wisdom that resonates. Compose your own manifesto, one principle at a time.

A House Note

You must hold a bookplate to publish a principle to the commons.

Act from the principle that caring for the planet is inseparable from caring for people.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Measure progress by ecological health, human well-being, and justice rather than by profit alone.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Value nonviolence, civil resistance, and moral courage in the struggle for ecological and human rights.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Stand against privatization of common resources such as land, water, and genetic material.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Preserve and regenerate soil, water, and seeds for future generations.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Build local, decentralized, community-based economies and food systems.
V
Vandana Shiva·
See the Earth as a living system to be cared for, not an object to be exploited.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Oppose industrial agriculture when it destroys soil, water, biodiversity, and farmer livelihoods.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Link environmental justice with social justice, especially for the poor and marginalized.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Honor the knowledge of small farmers, indigenous communities, and women as essential sources of wisdom.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Practice ecological farming that works with nature rather than against it.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Treat food as a sacred right, not a commodity.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Resist corporate control over food, farming, and nature.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Defend seed sovereignty: farmers should be able to save, exchange, and breed their own seeds.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Protect biodiversity as a foundation of life, resilience, and freedom.
V
Vandana Shiva·
Believe that entertainment can be more than entertainment; it can also inspire change.
M
Michael Jackson·
Strive for perfection in pursuit of memorable, timeless art.
M
Michael Jackson·
Maintain a strong sense of mystery and control over your public image.
M
Michael Jackson·
Speak against injustice, violence, and suffering through your art when possible.
M
Michael Jackson·
Let your work carry a message of hope, healing, and social consciousness.
M
Michael Jackson·