"Drinking, or an isolated debauch, may follow a specific stimulation, but chronic alcoholism is a pathological method of life and not a mode of revenge, diversion, or even of suicide. The majority of men simply do not choose that means of facing their troubles or of ending their life. The majority of those who drank little or not at all were not in the least tempted by the drug. 'Will Power' rarely had anything to do with their abstinence."
Take that, you self-righteous bastards.
As I see it the main principle of a Buddhist existence is to help others, and if that is not possible, at least to do no harm. Boy, that's pretty basic. It's like saying: "I didn't kill anyone today - I'm a pretty good guy." Then again there's beauty in simplicity - if it's not complicated most reasons to avoid it are removed. Still, if I'm a mostly reformed bank robber I can do better. One armed robbery a week is better than three but there's room for improvement.
More Buddhism for y'all . . . .
The Ten Nonvirtures:
Physical: Killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.
Verbal: Lying, divisive talk, harsh speech, and senseless chatter.
Mental: Covetousness, harmful intent, and wrong views.
Wrong: Incorrect or untrue.
Wrong: Immoral, not good, bad.
Those are too very different trails. I'm assuming The Buddha is talking about the second definition more so than the first.
Lot of vagueness in "harsh speech" and "senseless chatter," too. I believe I can avoid murder and theft today. I don't plan on lying or sowing the seeds of controversy by mining divisions I perceive in others (Hello? Don't egg an opponent on with political witticisms, no matter how delicious that can be.) I'm not crude in my language (fucking A, dude) and I don't go on and on and on about myself, sharing the excruciating minutia of my uneventful life.
But my intent, my purpose when I act or speak, or think? Whew. I usually behave pretty well and my speech is usually pretty good, too, but the purpose behind my thinking about you and by you I mean y'all that irritate me?
An assassin.
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