To understand the full power of the Ten Commandments, it is useful to imagine what a society would look like if it achieved perfect adherence to them. This is not a realistic scenario—human beings are fallible, and perfect obedience to any moral code is impossible. But as a thought experiment, it is illuminating.

The Foundation: Primacy and Transcendence

In our hypothetical society, every individual has a clear, stable hierarchy of values. At the apex of this hierarchy sits something transcendent—whether that is God, truth, beauty, or the common good. This is not a tyranny imposed from above, but a freely chosen orientation that gives coherence and direction to each person's life. As a result, people are not constantly buffeted by conflicting desires and impulses. They have a sense of purpose. They know what they are working towards.

Because of this clarity of values, the society is not torn apart by ideological conflicts. People disagree about many things, but they are united in their commitment to something larger than themselves. They are not trying to impose their particular vision of the good on everyone else; they are trying to align themselves with a transcendent reality that is accessible to all.

Trust and Fidelity

In this society, the commandment against adultery is observed. Marriages are stable. Children grow up in secure, loving homes where they know they are wanted and valued. The attachment bonds that form in these families are deep and secure. As a result, people grow up with a fundamental sense of safety and trust. They are not hypervigilant or defensive. They can afford to be vulnerable with others because they have learned that vulnerability is safe.

This trust extends beyond the family. Because people have learned to keep their commitments, to be faithful to their promises, the entire social fabric is woven with trust. Contracts are honoured. Promises are kept. People do what they say they will do. As a result, cooperation becomes easy. You don't need elaborate legal systems to enforce agreements, because people are motivated by their own commitment to truth and fidelity.

Justice and Fairness

In this society, the commandments against theft and against coveting are observed. Resources are distributed fairly. People are not consumed by envy or resentment. They are content with their own circumstances and genuinely happy when others prosper. As a result, there is no class warfare, no revolution, no violent conflict over resources. People work hard, not because they are trying to accumulate more than their neighbours, but because they find meaning and satisfaction in their work.

The legal system is minimal, because there is little crime. The police are not militarised; they are community members who are respected and trusted. The courts are fair and impartial. Punishment is designed not for retribution, but for restoration and rehabilitation. Criminals are rare, and when they do occur, they are treated with compassion and a genuine desire to help them reform.

Truth and Community

In this society, the commandment against bearing false witness is observed. People tell the truth. The media reports facts accurately. Politicians are honest about their intentions and their limitations. Scientists publish their findings without fear of censorship or political pressure. As a result, there is a shared reality. People can disagree about values and priorities, but they are working from the same set of facts.

This shared reality creates a sense of community. People understand one another. They can predict how others will behave. They can trust that the information they are receiving is accurate. As a result, public discourse is rational and productive. People listen to one another. They change their minds when presented with good evidence. They work together to solve collective problems.

Rest and Renewal

In this society, the commandment to remember the Sabbath is observed. People work hard during the week, but they take time to rest, to reflect, to spend time with their families and their communities. This rest is not laziness; it is a recognition that human beings need time to recover, to reconnect with what matters most, to step back from the endless treadmill of productivity and consumption.

As a result, people are not burned out. They are not anxious or depressed. They have time to develop their talents, to pursue their passions, to engage in activities that bring them joy and meaning. The culture is not one of endless striving, but of balanced living. People work to live; they don't live to work.

Honour and Continuity

In this society, the commandment to honour your father and mother is observed. Elders are respected. The wisdom of the past is valued. Intergenerational relationships are strong. Young people learn from their elders, and elders find purpose and meaning in passing on their knowledge and experience.

As a result, there is continuity. Society is not constantly reinventing itself, discarding the past and starting anew. Instead, it builds on the foundations laid by previous generations. There is a sense of being part of a long chain of human beings stretching back into the past and forward into the future. This gives people a sense of belonging and purpose that transcends their individual lives.

The Overall Picture

In this hypothetical society, people are not perfect. They still struggle with temptation, with selfishness, with the desire to hurt others. But the commandments provide a framework that makes it easier to do the right thing. The culture supports moral behaviour. The institutions reinforce it. The social norms encourage it.

As a result, people flourish. They are healthy, both physically and mentally. They have meaningful work. They have deep relationships. They have a sense of purpose. They are not anxious about the future, because they trust that the people around them are acting in good faith. They are not lonely, because they are embedded in communities of genuine connection and mutual care.

This is not a utopia. Conflict still exists. Disagreements still arise. But they are resolved through dialogue and compromise, not through violence and coercion. Society is not perfect, but it is fundamentally healthy and stable. It is a place where human beings can flourish.