As the name suggests, the book adds a fifth guiding principle, but it also re-explains the four previous ones: Shortform note: In his book Talking to Strangers, Malcolm Gladwell explains that while we think we’re good at reading people, we’re actually terrible at it. We assume people are telling the truth and that the way they present themselves outwardly is an accurate and reliable representation of their inner feelings and intentions. But don’t we all occasionally hide our true feelings, tell half-truths, or mask our intent—and haven’t we gotten away with it? Why should others be any different?) Step 4: Be the Best You Can, Without Comparing They only run around carelessly with a pure, innocent and simple intention to quench their thirst for entertainment. We seek to fulfill our needs and instincts, simply because it makes us happy. The fourth agreement comes naturally afterward – strive for perfection by performing at your very best.

Before domestication, our tendency was to explore, express creativity, seek pleasure, and avoid pain.

PDF Summary Part 1.2: Adjust Your Focus

Most crucially, instead of "accepting the reality of the world with which we're presented," we need to question it, we need to interrogate it, and we need to listen to it.

I can’t dive deeper into all of them here, but I’d like to share the Ruizs’ reasoning behind where our need for new agreements with ourselves comes from. This’ll also help us understand the first one. Here are my 3 takeaways from The Fifth Agreement:Shortform note: Modern science supports the authors’ claim that the language we use reflects and shapes our fundamental beliefs about the world. For example, linguistic researchers have discovered that people who speak different languages have different beliefs about blame and punishment in the case of accidents. In this way, the specific words people use impact their beliefs about the situation—just as the Ruizes describe.)

Note: In the guide, we’ll often refer to the authors, don Miguel Ruiz and don Jose Ruiz, as “the naguals.” Naguals, sometimes referred to as dreamers, masters, or scholars, act as a conduit between the spirit and the world, and pass on the teachings of the Toltec—whom the Ruizes say were the intellectual and cultural predecessors of the Aztec. To them, a Toltec is an artist of the spirit: a master storyteller who paints his own reality.) Relationship is an art. To keep the two of you happy, you have to keep your half perfect. You are responsible for your half, and your half has a certain amount of garbage. Your garbage is your garbage. The one who has to deal with that garbage is you, not your partner.

PDF Summary Part 1.1: Doubt Your Perception

It is a good book to make you evaluate your life and get rid of needless worry. Basically, it is saying your life can be anything you make it. Just look at things in the light you want to have it. The 5th Agreement is the follow up to The 4th Agreement. All are good points, but I would just skip to this book because he goes over everything from the 1st book in some detail, but adds the 5th agreement which is doubt. I think that for me that is the most meaningful one. It is something that is hard to do, but amazing what can happen once applied. Shortform note: There are many paths to discarding self-limiting beliefs and reclaiming a feeling of self-worth, and the Toltec road is just one of these. For example, cognitive behavioral therapists specialize in mindset-change—helping clients adjust the way they think about themselves and their day-to-day lives to gradually eliminate self-criticism and shame.) Even if your partner asks for your help, you have the choice to say no. Saying no doesn't mean you don't love or accept your partner; it means you are not able or you don't want to play that game. Even though the book is simply written it challenges important beliefs regarding gods, religion & society. It also promotes rewriting the stories we tend to tell to ourselves and the opinion we have about others. Love is important as an end result of the respect that we have for others and non-attachment to any knowledge we have gained from our infancy. However, it does not have much of a place as a motivating factor. In fact, as long as we live whatever dream makes us happy and respect others, what we do in life and say to others if of little importance. I don't buy it. Of course it doesn't fit with my Christian view of the world, as he says that we need to save ourselves and not rely on a Savior or anyone else.