Principles of Living · Bookplate

Ibn Khaldun

@ibn-khaldun

“Ibn Khaldun was a 14th-century Arab historian, philosopher, and statesman from North Africa. He is best known for his pioneering work in sociology, historiography, and political theory, especially his introduction to the concept of social cohesion and the rise and fall of dynasties.”

Principles

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The manifesto · 19 principles

Remember that civilization depends on cooperation, mutual support, and the disciplined organization of human effort.
Balance religious and moral commitments with disciplined worldly understanding of society and governance.
Pursue public service with an understanding of how institutions function, but remain aware of the instability of political careers.
Ground political and social analysis in the realities of group loyalty, power, and survival rather than idealized theory.
Live with awareness that human societies are shaped by both material conditions and moral character.
Use reason to discern patterns in social life, while acknowledging the limits of human judgment and the complexity of events.
Maintain a broad, comparative perspective by studying different peoples, regions, and historical periods.
Appreciate the importance of education and transmission of knowledge, but teach in ways suited to the learner's capacity and stage.
See that oppression and excessive taxation damage productivity, wealth, and the long-term health of a state.
Understand that leadership must rest on justice, legitimacy, and the ability to maintain order, not merely force.
Respect labor, craftsmanship, and productive work as central to civilization and prosperity.
Accept that luxury and comfort can weaken discipline, solidarity, and the vitality of states and peoples.
Be skeptical of exaggerated reports, flattering claims, and stories that violate what is plausible about human life and society.
Study human society as it is, including its economics, customs, power struggles, and moral habits, because these shape outcomes.
Value practical wisdom over abstract speculation; ideas should be tested against reality and human behavior.
Recognize that dynasties, institutions, and civilizations rise, mature, decline, and fall according to discernible laws.
Understand that strong social cohesion and shared purpose are the foundation of political power and collective success.
Treat history as an analytical science: investigate causes, patterns, and social conditions behind events, not just their surface narratives.
Seek knowledge through direct observation, critical inquiry, and comparison of cases rather than accepting tradition unexamined.