The list below is a ‘best of ’ list that I came up with from comparing various lists of values. I have sorted them alphabetically, so there’s no hierarchy implied here. Any of these could be the value at stake in a story.
This list was Appendix 4 in Character Creation (2018)
- Avoid Covetousness – do not covet what others possess, whether in terms of abilities, achievement, station, or natural gift
- Courage – avoid cowardice
- Forgiveness – do not resent injuries; avoid bitterness
- Freedom – respect the right of all to be free, and do not subject yourself or others to unfair restraint
- Frugality – use what you need; do not waste or squander
- Generosity – give to others, share what you have, do not be miserly
- Honesty – be truthful in speech and act with integrity; do not make false promises; do not deceive, and do what you promise to do
- Hope – vanquish fear; resolve to have a positive attitude towards life
- Humility – avoid arrogance or self-praise
- Imagination and Creativity – know the importance of beauty; bring new things into the world, rather than be a destroyer; seek to build on and improve what has gone before
- Industry – be employed in something useful; be capable; achieve a sense of accomplishment and occupational satisfaction; resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve; strive for excellence; be ambitious; be of service to others;
- Justice – act with fairness to all; do not bear false witness; do not withhold testimony; do not prejudge; treat others equally; practice tolerance and understanding
- Love – care for others; show kindness; value relationships; respect elders; respect children; be a friend; exercise charity;
- Playfulness – seek happiness and joy in what you do; take pleasure in learning new things and sharing them
- Respect for Life – do not kill; do no injury; refrain from violence
- Respect for Property (Do Not Steal) – do not take what is not freely given
- Respect for the Body – care of personal health, cleanliness and fitness; do not engage in sexual misconduct, or as Benjamin Franklin put it in his list: “Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.”
- Respect for the Mind – do not cloud judgment with intoxicants
- Responsibility – accept responsibility for your own actions and their consequences; practice independence; perform whatever acts it is your duty to perform (honour?); respect the dignity of others
- Safety and Security – respect the right of all to exist and to live without fear
- Self-control – practice moderation in all things, avoid extremes; be temperate; do not be disturbed by trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable; strive for simplicity; respect own dignity
- Trust and Faith – believe that there is good in the world and act accordingly; do not be a cynic or doubter
- Wisdom – understand the value of education and learning; of teaching others; and of applying intelligence, experience and knowledge for personal benefit and the benefit of all; exercise leadership when appropriate, and know when to be a supportive follower.
PAUL TOMLINSON 