Precepts facilitate living without harming; allowing life to happen without harming. Precepts provide guidelines for a life of sanction. Although frequently compared to the Christian commandments, precepts are not fixed rules or laws. The first five precepts address not harming others, as is basic to most ethics, while the second five address not harming oneself through negative habits and emotions.

Different branches of Buddhism may word precepts differently, and even have different numbers of precepts. The links below at least suggest their potential, and other possibilities.

Chants includes the precepts with other vows from my lay ordination ceremony.
Precepts provides a straightforward interpretation of each precept.
Alternate Precepts is more personal, and structured.
Precepts, from Jakusho Kwong Roshi, is more striking.
Aspects of the Precepts paraphrases positive and prohibitory views of each precept.
Notes struggles with the meaning of the Precepts, and ordination.
Koans can illuminate life, meaning, and values.