Three Precepts and Four Prohibitions

The Analects says: A noble person has three things to guard against.

In youth, when the vital energies are not yet settled, guard against lust.

In the prime of life, when the vital energies are at their peak, guard against strife.

In old age, when the vital energies have declined, guard against greed.

The Book of Rites states: "A ruler does not kill an ox without proper cause; a minister does not kill a sheep without proper cause; a scholar does not kill a dog or a pig without proper cause. One should not use large nets for fishing, nor hunt birds at their roosts."

The Analects says, "One may fish with a rod and line, but not with a net; one may shoot birds, but not at their roosts at night; one may use a staff while walking, but not to rebel."