(RNS) In her new book, “The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers,” columnist and author Cathleen Falsani lists 14 “Coenmandments,” or moral lessons derived from each of Joel and Ethan Coen’s films.
They are:
1. What goes around comes around.
2. Every action has a reaction.
3. Don’t mistreat women.
4. Whatever you try to hide, someone will discover.
5. It is better to be kind than to be right.
6. Don’t be paralyzed by doubt or fear.
7. Beware of false piety.
8. Don’t get hung up on dogma and legalism.
9. Act like all moments are key moments.
10. Only God knows the quality of a person’s heart.
11. When it comes to suffering, there’s no good answer.
12. No one ever really knows anyone else completely.
13. Be compassionate, respectful, and generous — especially to strangers.
14. Don’t act like you know what God is thinking.