In Lowry's The Giver, what are ten rules everyone must follow in the community?

The community that Jonas is raised in has many rules in order to keep the governing system of Sameness working perfectly. Since everyone must live according to said system, then there are sure to be many rules that everyone must follow. One of the first rules the reader learns about is "Precision of Language." Children are taught at a very young age that word choice is not to be trifled with. The old saying, say what you mean and mean what you say seems to sum up this rule; however, they must keep in mind not to be rude and not to brag at the same time. For example, Lily says that Gabe and Jonas both have "funny eyes," referring to them being light and not dark like everyone else's. Jonas feels Lily was being rude, but he says that it's not a defined rule not to be rude, but to call attention to differences is. Therefore, people should not notice differences and/or have preferences.

Everyone must always pay attention to and obey the voice that comes over the loudspeakers. For example, when the jet flew over the community, citizens were told to leave their bicycles where they were and go indoors immediately and wait for further instructions. 

When anyone inconveniences the community, like Asher did by being late for school one morning, he must make a public apology; whereupon, the community always must answer back, "We accept your apology" (3). This is a regular practice, too.

In family units, everyone must share their feelings about the day at the evening meal. Then, in the morning, everyone must share their dreams. This keeps everyone looking out for one another--or rather spying on each other so if anyone gets out of line, corrections can be made swiftly. Also, families can only apply to have one male and one female. Family units cannot have more members than two adults and two children.

Speaking of corrections, Jonas learned that "objects are not to be removed from the recreation area and that snacks are to be eaten, not hoarded" when he and Asher played catch with an apple after lunch and then he took it home to his dwelling afterwards (23). 

During service hours at the Home of the Old, Jonas and Fiona give elderly people baths. Other than when the Nurturers take care of new children, this is the only other time that it is allowed to look upon another's nakedness. Children and adults are not to look at each other while naked, ever.

People in the community are not permitted to lie. This is closely linked with the precision of language rule because even unintended lies could lead to misunderstanding; but intentional lying is unheard of, considered bad behavior, and rude.

Finally, everyone in the community must take the pill that suppresses the Stirrings when they hit puberty. Since the Stirrings can lead people to prefer one person over another, they must be controlled with medicine. Anyone who does not take his or her pill each day would probably suffer dire consequences if caught. The pills also ensure that people do not even have the desire to prefer someone else other than who is assigned to be in their lives.