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What’s the Principle You Need to Live By? Discover Your Guiding Star

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A happy woman guided by the principles of her values

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Summary: Defining your principles is one of the most important things a human being can undertake. Explore what it means to build healthy, lifelong values.

Ask just about anyone whether personal principles are important, and you’re likely to get a resounding yes. But ask them to define them? There’s a fair chance you’ll be met with a blank look.

In any event, principles are essential to a person’s successful navigation through life. Read on to learn more about principles, values, and what it means to lead a purpose-driven life.

The Meaning of Principle

So, what is the principle definition?

You can think of it as a value that serves as a guide for evaluating human behavior.

Too many times we hear about people who won’t let anyone help them, citing self-sufficiency as one of their main values. And on the other hand, others let people walk all over them because they hold non-confrontation as a rule.

Neither is a good example of an ethic principle. A good ethic principle is one that allows you to grow as a person and lead a more fulfilling life. Think of it as something that might not always be easy but is the right thing to do.

What does “it’s the principle” mean?

Tying into the previous point, choosing and following a set of worthy values on a day-to-day basis is hard.

Sometimes, it might mean breaking up with a toxic partner. In other cases, it might mean giving up unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking.

It is a good principle to put your own well-being above toxic relationships and bad habits.

If you want to learn how to get started, you can learn all you need for a healthy, happy, fulfilled life with Mindvalley’s Lifebook Program.

What is the principle in science?

In science, a principle is an underlying rule or value that governs the way things work. It is often formulated as a law and considered axiomatic—self-evident and self-proving.

It can also serve as a logical starting point for further examination.

What is the difference between principal and principle?

The words principle and principal are easy to mix up. Here’s the difference:

A principle is a fact, guideline, or law.

On the other hand, a principal is a person of authority, such as a school’s headmaster or a company’s executive. The principal can also be used as an adjective and means first, original, or most important.

A man reading a book on the principle of life

3 Examples of Different Kinds of Principles

1. Ethical principle

One of the best examples of a moral or ethical principle is the famous golden rule. It stipulates that one should treat others as they would wish to be treated.

The rule dates back to the times of Confucius and has appeared in many religions, philosophies, and doctrines throughout history.

2. Scientific principle

One of the most famous examples of a scientific principle is Archimedes’ principle, by the famous Greek philosopher and mathematician. It states that any object that’s partially or wholly immersed in a fluid encounters a buoyant force that is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid.

3. Logical or axiomatic principle

An example of a principle that serves as a logical foundation for further examination is the law of non-contradiction.

In a nutshell, it states that two contradictory statements can’t be true at the same time. For example, a light bulb can’t be on and off at the same time.


Images generated on Midjourney.

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Written by

Irina Yugay

As a former self-development and self-transcendence writer at Mindvalley, Irina uses words to transpire empowering ideas, transcendental feelings, and omniversal values. She's also an ascension coach who helps her clients grow their spiritual awareness and actualize their true nature. With a deep empirical understanding of the spiritual journey, Irina shares her insights and experiences with the readers to inspire them to transcend their limiting beliefs and achieve higher states of consciousness.
Picture of Irina Yugay

Irina Yugay

As a former self-development and self-transcendence writer at Mindvalley, Irina uses words to transpire empowering ideas, transcendental feelings, and omniversal values. She's also an ascension coach who helps her clients grow their spiritual awareness and actualize their true nature. With a deep empirical understanding of the spiritual journey, Irina shares her insights and experiences with the readers to inspire them to transcend their limiting beliefs and achieve higher states of consciousness.
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Mindvalley is committed to providing reliable and trustworthy content. We rely heavily on evidence-based sources, including peer-reviewed studies and insights from recognized experts in various personal growth fields. Our goal is to keep the information we share both current and factual. To learn more about our dedication to reliable reporting, you can read our detailed editorial standards.

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Fact-Checking: Our Process

Mindvalley is committed to providing reliable and trustworthy content. 

We rely heavily on evidence-based sources, including peer-reviewed studies and insights from recognized experts in various personal growth fields. Our goal is to keep the information we share both current and factual. 

The Mindvalley fact-checking guidelines are based on:

To learn more about our dedication to reliable reporting, you can read our detailed editorial standards.