Any opinion, principle, dogma, belief, or doctrine, which a person holds or maintains as true; as, the tenets of Plato or of Cicero
any opinion, principle, dogma, or doctrine that a person believes or maintains as true
The tenets of a theory or belief are the main principles on which it is based. Non-violence and patience are the central tenets of their faith = principle. a principle or belief, especially one that is part of a larger system of beliefs central/basic/fundamental etc tenet (from tenere; TENOR)