Ten Rules for Good Government

Jimmy Carter was the thirty-ninth president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981, and the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

I worked on his presidential campaign, and voted for him twice. I have read every book he has written, and each article that I've come across.

Click here to learn more about the work that he's done since leaving office, and how he's worked for human rights, global health and democracy around the world.

In the JATAKA stories, the Buddha gave 10 rules for Good Government, known as Dasa Raja Dharma. In my view, President Jimmy Carter embodied each and every one of these:

1. avoid selfishness,
2. maintain a high moral character,
3. be prepared to sacrifice his own pleasure for the well being of the citizens,
4. be honest and maintain absolute integrity,
5. be kind and gentle,
6. lead a simple life for the citizens to emulate,
7. be free from hatred of any kind,
8. exercise nonviolence,
9. practise patience, and
10. respect public opinion to promote peace and harmony.

Concluding his autobiography, Keeping Faith, President Carter provides a quote from Thomas Jefferson:

"I have the consolation to reflect that during the period of my administration, not a drop of the blood of a single citizen was shed by the sword of war."