Precept 12-1, Safeguard and Improve Your Environment: Be of Good Appearance
12-1. BE OF GOOD APPEARANCE.
It sometimes does not occur to some individuals—as they do not have to spend their days looking at themselves—that they form part of the scenery and appearance of others. And some do not realize that they are judged by others on the basis of their appearance.
While clothes can be expensive, soap and the other tools of self-care are not that hard to obtain. The techniques are sometimes difficult to dig up but can be evolved.
In some societies, when they are barbaric or become very degraded, it can even be the fashion to be a public eyesore. Actually it is a symptom of a lack of self-respect.
Exercising and working, one can become very messed up. But this does not rule out getting cleaned up. And, as an example, some European and English workmen manage a style of appearance even when working. Some of the better athletes, one notices, look good despite being wringing wet with sweat.
An environment disfigured with unkempt people can have a subtle, depressing effect on one’s morale.2
Encourage people around you to look good by complimenting them when they do or even gently helping them with their problems when they don’t. It could improve their self-regard and their morale as well.
- 1. safeguard: prevent from being harmed; protect.
- 2. morale: the mental and emotional attitude of an individual or a group; sense of well-being; willingness to get on with it; a sense of common purpose.
- 3. vandalism: the willful and malicious destruction of public or private property, especially anything beautiful or artistic.