The following is the English translation of Jacinto's Cartilla by Gregorio Nieva. In popularizing the Tagalog original through the monthly holding of small-group solemn commemorations called Pagtitipon ng mga Anak ng Bayan the Kampanya para sa Kamalayan sa Kasaysayan (KAMALAYSAYAN) suggests for the tenth point here the substitution of the word "parents" for "man" and the cleletion of woman from those being guided. This enumeration of points reflected the stark gender imbalance of the period and would run afoul with present-day feminists; but the tenth point is really about the responsibility of guiding, in the present case, both parents together.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE LIFE THAT IS NOT consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a tree without a shade, if not a poisonous weed.

To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue.

It is rational to be charitable and love one's fellow creature, and to adjust one's conduct, acts and words to what is in itself reasonable.

Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in knowledge, wealth and beauty are to be understood, but not superiority by nature.

The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel, gain to honor.

To the honorable man, his word is sacred.

Do not waste thy time: wealth can be reco- vered but not time lost.

Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in the field.

The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets.

On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the children, and if the guide leads to the precipice, those whom he guides will also go there.

Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything, but as a faithful companion who will share with thee the penalties of life; her (physical) weakness will increase thy interest in her and she will remind thee of the mother who bore thee and reared thee.

What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children, brothers and sisters, that do not unto the wife, children, brothers and sisters of thy neighbor.

Man is not worth more because he is a king, because his nose is aquiline, and his color white, not because he is a priest, a servant of God, nor because of the high prerogative that he enjoys upon earth, but he is worth most who is a man of proven and real value, who does good, keeps his words, is worthy and honest; he who does not oppress nor consent to being oppressed, he who loves and cherishes his fatherland, though he be born in the wilderness and know no tongue but his own.

When these rules of conduct shall be known to all, the longed-for sun of Liberty shall rise brilliant over this most unhappy portion of the globe and its rays shall diffuse everlastingjoy among the confederated brethren of the same rays, the lives of those who have gone before, the fatigues and the well-paid sufferings will remain. If he who desires to enter (the Katipunan) has informed himself of all this and believes he will be able to perform what will be his duties, he may fill out the application for admission.

From Health Alert 135, November 1992