THE SMITH CENTER

for Private Enterprise Studies

Decalogue

By

Manuel Ayau
Founder
Universidad Francisco Marroquin
Guatemala City, Guatemala

(For "middle of the roaders" and other compromisers that do not appreciate the virtue of intransigence on matters of principle.)

I. Thou shall love thy government, the dispenser of security and kindness, the high and lofty redistributor of the wealth we all deserve.

II. Thou must be broadminded and tolerant, and remember that man is the product and victim of modem society and therefore is not entirely responsible for his actions. His selfish brothers around him are responsible,

III. Thou must not be and extremist. Thou shall be neither right nor left, here or there, "but in the middle; all extremes are frightfully deplorable.

IV. Thou shall honour thy father and thy mother, unless of course, they do not understand thee.

V. Thou shall not kill nor spare the life of everybody that thou detests: thou shall compromise and kill with moderation, and only while in a stage of mental incompetence, lest society hold thee responsible.

VI. Thou shall not commit adultery at every possible opportunity, but only to alleviate frustrations of emotionally unadjusted spouses or victims of mental cruelty.

VII. Thou shall not steal nor entirely abstain either; thou shall steal only a fair amount, and preferably through the normal legalized government channels, such as subsidies, etc.

VIII. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour unless it is absolutely necessary.

IX. Thou shall not covet the wife of thy neighbour notwithstanding his selfishness, narrow mindness, and intolerance in this regard.

X. Thou shall not covet thy neighbour's wealth even though he has much too much and refuses to share it with thee, unless of course, thou deserveth it more than he does.