Principles of Living
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Principles of Living · Bookplate
U Thant

U Thant

@u-thant

“U Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving from 1961 to 1971. He is known for his efforts in international peacekeeping, decolonization, and global diplomacy during the Cold War era.”

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The manifesto · 15 principles
  1. Work for global cooperation on issues that transcend borders, including conflict, development, and human welfare.
  2. Uphold the principle that even adversaries deserve to be heard and treated with fairness.
  3. Recognize that peace requires patience and persistence, not quick victories.
  4. Prefer dialogue and understanding over hostility, propaganda, or rigid dogma.
  5. Maintain personal integrity and honesty in public office.
  6. Treat international problems as shared human responsibilities, not as opportunities for domination.
  7. Lead through quiet effectiveness rather than publicity, grandstanding, or self-promotion.
  8. Believe that moral authority comes from modesty, restraint, and service rather than personal ambition.
  9. Use the United Nations as a practical instrument for preventing war and easing tensions among states.
  10. Put the collective welfare of humanity above narrow national or ideological interests.
  11. Act with strict neutrality in international disputes so that trust can be maintained on all sides.
  12. Support decolonization and the right of peoples to self-determination.
  13. Respect the sovereignty and dignity of all nations, especially newly independent states and smaller countries.
  14. Pursue peace through negotiation, mediation, and compromise before resorting to force.
  15. Keep calm, patient, and impartial in the face of conflict; avoid rash reactions and favor steady, quiet diplomacy.