This Association pursues a very high and great object: the union in ideas and purpose of the Filipinos, by means of a strong oath, in order that this union may become the force that shall tear the dense veil which obscures intelligence, and may find the path of Reason and Light. 


One of the first rules here is: true patriotism and genuine mutual aid. 


Poor, rich, ignorant, wise: all are equal and are true brethren. 


Once in the Association, the member will abandon all disorderly life and place himself under the orders and rules of the Association. 


All acts incompatible with dignity and involving moral turpitude are repugnant here, hence the antecedents of the applicant will first be submitted to a searching investigation. 


If the applicant merely wishes to know the secrets of the Association, or joins from personal bravado or in order to become acquainted with the members and sell them for a mess of pottage, he will not prosper: the mere attempt at treachery will be frustrated by the many who are watching him, and he will immediately receive the deserved punishment meted out to traitors. 


Here only acts are demanded and taken into account, hence no one must join who is not willing to act, however willing he may be to talk. 


It is also announced that the duties to be performed by the members are exceedingly hard, especially if one remembers that their performance can not be evaded and that there will be no violation, knowingly committed, to which a rigorous penalty will not be applied. 


If the applicant merely desires relief or wishes to lead an easy life, let him desist, because he will encounter very exacting duties, such as the protection and defence of the oppressed and the most tenacious effort to investigate and prosecute all that is evil: for this reason he will lead a life of hard work and constant worry and distress. 


Nobody is unaware of the evils with which are threatened the Filipinos who thought out things so sacred (and even those that are not), and the suffering prepared for them by the predominating cruelty, error, and criminality. 


A matter of public knowledge is also the need of ready money, in our days the principal factor of general prosperity; for this reason the punctual payment of the dues is required: one peso as admission fee and twelve and a half centimos monthly dues. The custodian of the funds will from time to time render an account to the members, besides the right of each member to examine and revise the accounts, should he so desire, at any moment. These funds can be expended only by resolution of the majority. 


All this must be considered and thought over well, as it can not be performed or patiently borne by any person not a true patriot and a real defender of the Good. 



And for a better understanding, read the following:

<h3>
Rules of the Association of the Sons of the People
</h3>

The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a tree without shade, if not a poisonous weed. - 


To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue. 


It is rational to be charitable and love one's fellow-creature, and to adjust one's conduct, acts, and words to what is in itself reasonable. 


Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in knowledge, wealth, and beauty are to be understood, but not superiority by nature. 


The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain, the scoundrel, gain to honor. 


To the honorable man his word is sacred. 


Do not waste thy time: wealth can be recovered, but not the time lost. 


Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in the field. 


The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets. 


On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and of the children, and if the guide leads to precipices, those whom he guides will also go there. 


Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything, but as a faithful companion who will share with thee the penalties of life; her weakness will increase thy interest in her and she will remind thee of the mother who bore thee and reared thee. 


What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children, brothers and sisters, that do not unto the wife, children, brothers, and sisters of thy neighbor.

Direct translation of the complete text of Emilio Jacinto's "Kartilya ng Katipunan"

Association of the Sons of the People