Dalai Lama’s 18 Rules for Living

1. Take into account that great love and great 


achievements involve great risk. 

2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for 

others, Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is 

sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them 

properly.

6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take 

immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your 

values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best 

answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get 

older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second 

time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the 

foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with 

the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve 

immortality.


15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been 

before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in 

which your love for each other exceeds your need for 

each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in 

order to get it....