The Five Agreements • Les Cinq Accords • Die Fünf Versprechen

1. Be impeccable with your word. Soyez impeccable avec votre parole. Seien Sie untadelig mit Ihren Worten.

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t take anything personally. Ne réagissez à rien de façon personnelle. Nehmen Sie die Dinge nicht persönlich.

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t make assumptions. Ne faites pas de suppositions. Ziehen Sie keine voreiligen Schlüsse.

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama.

4. Always do your best. Faites toujours de votre mieux. Tun Sie immer Ihr Bestmögliches.

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

5. Be skeptical but learn to listen. Soyez sceptique, mais apprenez à écouter. Seien Sie skeptisch, aber lernen Sie zuzuhören.

Don’t believe yourself or anybody else. Use the power of doubt to question everything you hear: Is it really the truth? Listen to the intent behind the words, and you will understand the real message.