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precept

precept

22 7.5
A rule that guides how people behave or think
  • noun
  • /ˈpriːsɛpt/
  • Formal
: precepto
  • The precept of treating others with kindness is a principle many try to follow.
  • moral precepts
  • fundamental precept
  • religious precepts

What about these precepts that Nietzsche focuses in on, right?

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Examples

  • Many religious traditions emphasize the precept of compassion towards all living beings.

  • According to Christian moral precepts, the main objective of sexual relations was procreation.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Well, I follow a simple precept.

  • Do you or do you not hold that the precept that "All men are created equal" is meant literally?

  • And let us return to the American precept that every individual is accountable for his own actions.

  • Remember that one simple precept and your time with me will not have been ill-spent.

  • For the second wave, political action is based on the precepts of identity politics.

    Academic text (1993)
  • "Therefore, education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards god."

  • In short, they were prisoners of popular custom rather than followers of the precept of Scripture.

  • I will follow the ten precepts laid down by Lord Buddha

Synonyms

principle
vsprecept
394 3.4

A moral rule that guides what you think is right or wrong

is broader and guides behavior or thought in religion, philosophy, and life
commandment
vsprecept
142 6.7

An important rule given by a religious or moral leader

is less about an order and more about general guidance or principle
teaching
vsprecept
75 3.4

Ideas or rules of a belief system

is more a personal guiding rule than something formally taught
dogma
vsprecept
48 7.7

A belief or idea leaders expect everyone to accept without question

is a guiding rule but without the claim of unquestionable truth
moral principle
vsprecept
10 4.4

A rule or belief about what is right and wrong that guides how people act

is a general guiding rule not limited to moral matters

How Binding

law
∞ 1.0
rule
∞ 1.0
precept
  • Formal
22 7.5
guideline
282 3.1
suggestion
602 1.4

Surface Forms

precept singular
precepts plural

Etymology

Precept comes from Latin parts pre- 'before' and capere 'to take', and it has the same root as accept. So a precept is a rule you 'take before' you act — a guiding instruction.