The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition: Revised for the Modern Ferengi was a series of 285 aphorisms, guidelines, and principles that were created by Grand Nagus Zek in 2371 as a replacement for the Rules of Acquisition.
In attempting to look for a code in the revised rules, Rom read to his brother, Quark, the first word of each rule, reading: "If... never... keep... profit... a... good... smile... honesty." It was determined, quite obviously, to mean nothing. Later attempts to decipher it included holding the book up to the light, smelling it, and tasting it.
It was later discovered that Zek had used the Bajoran Orb of Wisdom to talk to the Prophets, wishing to know the future. The Prophets found Zek to be excessively greedy and "de-evolved" him into a state which they equated to be an earlier, less selfish Ferengi – it was under this influence which Zek had decided to rewrite the Rules. After Quark became aware of this, he persuaded the Prophets to return Zek to normal. To avoid scandal, the rules were never released to the public. (DS9: "Prophet Motive")
| Number | Rule | Original rule |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
If they want their money back, give it to them. | Once you have their money, you never give it back. |
|
10 |
Greed is dead. | Greed is eternal. |
|
21 |
Never place profit before friendship. | Never place friendship above profit. |
|
22 |
Latinum tarnishes, but family is forever. | A wise man can hear profit in the wind. |
|
23 |
Money can never replace dignity. | Nothing is more important than your health ... except for your money. |
|
285 |
A good deed is its own reward. | No good deed ever goes unpunished. |