Decalogue
    n 1: the biblical commandments of Moses [syn: Decalogue, Ten
         Commandments]

Decalogue \Dec"a*logue\ (?; 115), n. [F. d['e]calogue, L.
   decalogus, fr. Gr. ?; de`ka ten + ? speech, ? to speak, to
   say. See Ten.]
   The Ten Commandments or precepts given by God to Moses on
   Mount Sinai, and originally written on two tables of stone.
   [1913 Webster]

Decalogue
   the name given by the Greek fathers to the ten commandments;
   "the ten words," as the original is more literally rendered (Ex.
   20:3-17). These commandments were at first written on two stone
   slabs (31:18), which were broken by Moses throwing them down on
   the ground (32:19). They were written by God a second time
   (34:1). The decalogue is alluded to in the New Testament five
   times (Matt. 5:17, 18, 19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 7:7, 8;
   13:9; 1 Tim. 1:9, 10).
   
     These commandments have been divided since the days of Origen
   the Greek father, as they stand in the Confession of all the
   Reformed Churches except the Lutheran. The division adopted by
   Luther, and which has ever since been received in the Lutheran
   Church, makes the first two commandments one, and the third the
   second, and so on to the last, which is divided into two. "Thou
   shalt not covet thy neighbour's house" being ranked as ninth,
   and "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife," etc., the
   tenth. (See COMMANDMENTS.)
   

DECALOGUE, n.  A series of commandments, ten in number -- just enough
to permit an intelligent selection for observance, but not enough to
embarrass the choice.  Following is the revised edition of the
Decalogue, calculated for this meridian.

    Thou shalt no God but me adore:
    'Twere too expensive to have more.

    No images nor idols make
    For Robert Ingersoll to break.

    Take not God's name in vain; select
    A time when it will have effect.

    Work not on Sabbath days at all,
    But go to see the teams play ball.

    Honor thy parents.  That creates
    For life insurance lower rates.

    Kill not, abet not those who kill;
    Thou shalt not pay thy butcher's bill.

    Kiss not thy neighbor's wife, unless
    Thine own thy neighbor doth caress

    Don't steal; thou'lt never thus compete
    Successfully in business.  Cheat.

    Bear not false witness -- that is low --
    But "hear 'tis rumored so and so."

    Cover thou naught that thou hast not
    By hook or crook, or somehow, got.
                                                                  G.J.