สำนักราชบัณฑิตยสภา

298 祒 ∑’Ë ÿ ¥§◊ Õ®µÿ √∫“∑é °— ∫·π«§‘ ¥®√‘ ¬»“ µ√å ‰∑¬ Vol. 29 No. 2 Apr.-Jun. 2004 The Journal of the Royal Institute of Thailand Abstract “The Best is the Four-footed” and the Thai Ethical Thought Pataraporn Sirikanchana Associate Fellow of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, The Royal Institute, Thailand “The Best is the Four-footed” is the royal saying of His Majesty, King Bhumipol Adulyadej, as appeared in the New Year card given to all Thai people last year. Its meaning lights up the fact that the four-footed animal, especially a dog, is the best creature on earth. Its merits, such as friendliness, loyalty to its master, and so on, are beyond compare, Westerners generally believe that dogs live no ethical life, whereas most Thai people who are inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism assert dogs’ moral deeds. Taking dogs as our moral exemplars may lessen our sense of self attachment and enlighten our ethical thought. Key words : the four-footed, dog, ethical thought