The constitution of 17 articles

SHOTOKU TAISHI, crown Prince promulgated the constitution of 17 articles in 604
under the reign of empress, SUIKO, which represents Japanese code of conducts.
Although it is said that American constitution promulgated in 1788 is the first one in
a written form in the world, the Crown Prince had showed social norms and standards
by written constitution about 1,100 years earlier than American one.
If you read the constitution of 17 articles, you can easily understand the basis of
the conducts of Japanese people. The summary of the constitution is as follows;

Article One
People should put importance on harmony with other people and try to
get rid of disputes and discords.

Article Two
People should respect Buddhism, Buddhist monks and the rules of Buddhism.

Article Three
People should respect and follow the orders of the emperor.

Article Four
Government officials should work fairly based on justice.
　
Article Five
Government officials should not be entertained nor bribed when they treat suit of
farmers so that they can sincerely and correctly administer the nation all the time.

Article Six
People should conduct themselves properly and correct bad behaviors.

Article Seven
Any Government official should carry out his duties fairly and faithfully without abusing
the authority, because each has his own mission.

Article Eight
Government officials should start working early in the morning and finish
late afternoon because they have many works to do.

Article Nine
Government officials should be sincere and honest because sincerity and honesty
are the base of everything.

Article Ten
People should not have anger or rage in their heart nor show it to other people,
because each one has his own idea and all the people are not saint.

Article Eleven
Government officials should praise and/or punish people fairly and correctly.

Article Twelve
The governors should not levy a tax from people arbitrarily because two kings don't
exist at the same time and the emperor is the only king.

Article Thirteen
Government officials should understand his duties of predecessor well and execute them
without problem after he is appointed as new position.

Article Fourteen
Government officials should not be jealous to the others in order to govern the country
in good form.

Article Fifteen
Government officials should fulfill his duties with no personal interests.

Article Sixteen
Government officials should consider good opportunities to make people do and/or
serve public works.

Article Seventeen
People should not decide anything by themselves but consult with the other people
about anything except trivia