Boy is this a simple one to say and a really difficult one to live up to. I do appreciate that it’s a tough one, but I know you can do it. It takes a simple shift of vision, from being the sort of person who acts in a certain way to being a different sort of person who acts in a different sort of way. Look, no matter how rough it gets you are never going to:

• take revenge
• act badly
• be very, very angry
• hurt anyone
• act without thinking
• act rashly
• be aggressive.

That’s it, the bottom line. You are going to maintain the moral high ground at all times. You are going to behave honestly, decently, kindly, forgivingly, nicely (whatever that means), no matter what the provocation. No matter what the challenge thrown at you. No matter how unfairly they behave. No matter how badly they behave. You will not retaliate in like kind. You will carry on being good and civilized and morally irreproachable. Your manners will be impeccable. Your language moderated and dignified. There is nothing they can do or say that will make you deviate from this line.

Yes, I know it’s difficult at times. I know when the rest of the world are behaving appallingly, and you have to carry on taking it on the chin without giving in to your desire to floor them with a savage word, it’s really, really tough. When people are being horrid to you it’s natural to want to get your own back and lash out. Don’t. Once this rough time has passed, you will be so proud of yourself for keeping the moral high ground that it will taste a thousand times better than revenge ever would.

I know revenge is tempting, but you won’t go there. Not now, not ever. Why? Because if you do you’ll be sinking to their level, you’ll be at one with the beasts instead of the angels (see Rule 9), because it demeans you and cheapens you, because you will regret it and lastly because if you do, then you’re no Rules Player. Revenge is for losers. Taking and keeping the moral high ground is the only way to be. It doesn’t mean you’re a pushover or a wimp. It just means that any action you do take will be honest and dignified and clean.