7 Social Evils

The following I first came across as a poster in the room of my Great Books teacher in 10th grade. It had a profound effect on me and continues to do so. I have never before or since found such a succinct yet poignant way of expressing by what and why I am discontented in this Koyaanisqatsi world of ours. Below the list are ways in which one may combat the seven social evils (or ills). The ones that most speak to me are numbers 1 and 4. Number 1--that all life is interconnected--is a conclusion I came to at about 13 or 14 years of age. Number 4 is something of which we need desperately to remind ourselves and to renew in ourselves as citizens of this great U.S.A.

Seven Social Evils (by Mohandas Gandhi)

- Wealth Without Work
- Pleasure Without Conscience
- Knowledge Without Character
- Commerce Without Morality
- Science Without Humanity
- Worship Without Sacrifice
- Politics Without Principles

1. Oneness
All life is one/interconnected. Our oneness calls us to work for the well-being of all.
2. Satyagraha (force of truth/Soul Force)
Nonviolence is the pursuit of truth - living with integrity and the willingness to confront untruth.
3. Ahimsa (non-injury)
Nonviolence as the practice of ahimsa is the development of love and selfless service, helping others--especially
adversaries--to avoid suffering. (This is the essence of all religions.)
4. Respect and Understanding
People are always more than the evils they commit. Nonviolence respects others and sees their goodness, while trying to
understand the "whys" behind their behavior.
5. Appreciating Differences
Nonviolence moves beyond acceptance into appreciation and celebration of our differences.
6. Absorbing Suffering
Nonviolence takes on without complaint any suffering that results from my confrontation with untruth and accepts that all
forms of violence cannot be totally eliminated.
7. Trust/Release of Fear
Nonviolent living is a trust in life and the journey of becoming increasingly free from fear.