From the richness of philosophies and religions, this book presents the spiritual timber from which to construct a life of compassion and justice.


The aphorisms present material from which a home can be constructed, one with air and light, shutters thrown open and doors ajar. It is a home of shelter, protection and warmth, love and happiness.


Here are some thoughts to help build such a life:


- Generosity of spirit creates a life worth living.
- Never promote yourself at another's expense.
- A thoughtful person thinks for herself; a thoughtless person thinks only of herself.
- Allow each person the dignity of his or her own labor.
- Wealth justly gained is honorable; wealth unjustly gained is dishonorable; wealth kept for one's self is shameful.
- Owning things isn't bad; being owned by things is bad.
- Goodness is a gift from those who went before. Therefore, make things better for those who come after.