Today`s world is full of suffering and cruelty. From birth, we are trained to accept the rules of society as „as they are,“ but adhering to those rules prevents us from becoming our true self. But there is another way to live. If we replace the old agreements with four simple agreements, we will be able to free ourselves from the old rules and find peace and happiness. These agreements are: 1) Use your words impeccably. 2) Don`t take anything personally. 3) Don`t make assumptions. 4) Always do your best. This agreement is also a simple concept, but it will allow the other three agreements to be more entrenched and effective. Finally, the first three chords can only really work if you do your best. Ruiz recognizes that it`s hard to leave rules, regulations, and restrictions behind for the rest of your life. How can we dismantle these old agreements that have caused unnecessary suffering in our lives? How can we free ourselves from the old agreements? These first two chords free you from many of the bad arrangements that have disrupted your life.

Finally, reckless words combined with severely offended people will inevitably bring drama. Anything we accept as „as it is“ is an agreement. But too many of these agreements harm us and others. Think, for example, of the teenager who is starving to adapt. Think of someone who stays in an unhappy relationship because that`s all they know.