In at number one we’ve got –
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
This is a great rule when applied to a new country, particularly if you replace the word ‘gods’ with ‘kings’. It firmly establishes me as the man in charge.
At number two, the classic –
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
I didn’t plan to erect any statues of myself, but lets face it if your going to be a world leader your probably going to have your image graven at some point.
In at number three –
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.
The sentiment may be right but the words need a bit of work. Although I do quite like the idea of people saying things like ‘oh, for Danny’s sake’.
At number four is –
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Not my favourite band, so I don’t see why we should have to dedicate an entire day to them, a couple of hours may be appropriate on a Tuesday on the basis of their back catalogue and past services to rock.
Climbing to number five –
Honour thy father and thy mother.
You’ve got to respect your parents after all they know best. We may have to suspend this rule for our teenage citizens who think they know better.
In with a bullet at number six we have the daddy of all commandments –
Thou shalt not kill.
Absolutely right…couldn’t have said it better myself, although I may have used the words You and Shall.
Hanging on at number seven –
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
A little too personal for my liking, after all I’m starting a country, not running a marriage guidance centre.
Down at number eight –
Thou shalt not steal.
This makes a lot sense, although borrowing is to be positively encouraged.
At number nine is the very catchy –
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Making stuff up about people just isn’t nice whether they’re your neighbour or someone else. That’s how rumours get started.
Propping up the chart –
Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Coveting is not something you hear much about these days…but if you find someone doing it you should politely ask them to stop.
So would the ten commandments make a good set of rules for our new country… probably if we update them a bit.
But I want to keep things nice and simple. Why have ten rules when you can have one guiding principle – Be Good!
I believe that you, my noble citizens, are capable of understanding what is right and what is wrong without me having to impart this knowledge through a raft of laws, legislation and constant nagging.
I’m your king, not your mother.
