The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom

Ruiz writes that words are a powerful force that can be used to create or destroy. He uses the term “black magic” to reference the misuse of words to tear down and destroy, and the term “white magic” to reference using words properly to create and give life. As an example of the power of words, he highlights how Hitler motivated an entire nation of intelligent people to destroy using only words. Ruiz notes that words can be used to cast a spell and control people or to break a spell and set people free.

After establishing the power of words, Ruiz defines the word impeccability as “without sin” (31). He defines sin as anything one feels or does that goes against oneself. Sin begins with self-rejection and leads to death, while impeccability leads to life. Therefore, to be impeccable with one’s word is to never use words to go against oneself. This includes taking responsibility for one’s actions—not by blaming or judging oneself but by learning from mistakes.

Impeccability extends to how one treats others. For example, those who call a friend stupid appear to be using the word against their friend but are actually using it against themselves, having already rejected themselves.