Even if our principles are not written down, we live them out in what we do each day. We may have never thought about what our principles and values are, but even so, they unconsciously manifest in our decisions.
So why not codify our life principles by writing them down?
Make your principles easily to reference so you can access them during difficult times. Be specific so you can compare what you believe in to what you do. That difference is painful but steadying. Writing down your principles keeps you honest and centered.