From Chief Tecumseh ~ Shawnee Chief
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; (their sexual orientation; their political preferences; or who their parents or relatives are;)
Respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, (protect your life,) perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their (pathetic) lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
---
More I’ve learned along the way...
The hero must avoid entanglements which contradict the code. ...which get in the way of being a hero.
Never cheat. Never play dirty unless...playing dirty is the last resort to stopping something evil.
Know your weaknesses.
Heroes have hero friends. Keep a solid association with other heroes and look to for leagues and hero societies to join. Help them be better heroes and they will help you.
Nobody is too good or not good enough for you to help.
Don't ever walk away from a mess expecting someone else to clean it up.
Never require, ask for, or expect a thank you.
Never get caught up in what people say about you good or bad. Just keeping doing your best.
Most people will be grateful for any help you can give. However, some people will be mad that you couldn't help them more. They will focus on what they didn't get instead of what they did get from you. This will make you not want to help people--fight that feeling!
When others ask themselves why me, you should be asking yourself why not me.
When others run from danger you should run to it full of boldness and without fear..."The wheel barrel squeaking and a gleam in your eyes."
You can't help everybody, but you can help somebody.
Your hurts, your pains, your weaknesses... are private - nobody's business - between you and God.
We're not all going to make it. But you must make it. Try your damnedest to get everybody out alive, but DECIDE who has to be left behind. The hero is always obligated to make that decision and live with it.
Yourself come last and always last no matter what you do. When true joy you give true joy you get each day your whole life through.
Always know exactly when you have helped enough.
Leave the place/space better than you found it.
Be anonymous.
You weren't always the hero that you are today. So make a list of those you wronged and always look for the chance to do something for them as a token of remorse.
Always look good.
Put your brand on everything you do.
Everything we do must be smooth.
Do your best always all ways.
Don't ever take the blame for someone else's mistakes.
Know thyself. "Temet Nosce"
"Sine Labore Nihil" Nothing comes without work.
Heroes are much more likely to be taken down by family obligations, distractions, and debt than by anything else.
Live a simple life.
Always defend yourself, your name, and your brand.
If you can't be good, then at least look good.
If you can't be a hero, then at least get you some hero friends.
