Shortly after the Rebellion took place on Manor Farm, and it changed its name to "Animal Farm", the Seven Commandments were created and it was said they were to "form an unalterable law by which all animals on Animal Farm must live forever after". They were painted by Snowball with help from Squealer "in giant white letters that could be read from thirty yards away". This goes to show just how important the Commandments were seen when they were first formed. The original seven ran as follows:.
" 1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy.
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend.
3. No animal shall wear clothes.
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed.
5. No animal shall drink alcohol.
6. No animal shall kill any other animal.
7. All animals are equal. ".
These commandments were to be followed by all the animals living on the farm at all times. They are summarised in the simple phrase: "Four legs good, two legs bad". This maxim is created for the less mentally able animals as it was short and simple so would stick in their minds such as the sheep. However, as the pigs adopt human behaviour progressively throughout the story the Seven Commandments are changed in such a way as to justify what the pigs do. The pigs break all seven commandments, some without notice, simply because power is addictive, and they constantly want more of it. Although some of the animals happen to remember the true nature of the Commandments, they are threatened by the fact that Jones may come back to the farm at any time. There is also the problem that they cannot be sure the Commandments have been changed. The other animals on the farm are incapable of telling the truth from the lies and prefer to depend on what Squealer tells them and to believe in his propaganda, which includes the denial that the Commandments have been altered at all.
The way the Seven Commandments are gradually altered displays much irony.