Codex Warrior Spirit¶
Realizing Death
One who considers himself a warrior should keep death in
his mind at all times; every day and every night. As long as
you keep death in mind at all times, you will also fulfill your
duties. If you assume that you will live a long time, you will
think you have forever to do the work and duties expected of
you. This would lead to failure, if something happened before
you finished your given tasks.
However if you realize that life is here today and certain
for tomorrow, you would then be more inclined to preform the
tasks presented before you, realizing this may be your last
chance. When you keep death in mind, you speak and reply to
what others say; you understand the significance of every word.
You would then also realize not to place yourself in an
environment which could lead to unexpected predicaments.
However, sitting and waiting for death all day and night
may be fine for a wearer of the cloth, it is not the way of a
warrior. Take care of your duties first, making sure to
accomplish all tasks and then whenever you have time to
yourself, think of death and keep it in mind.
Combat Spirit
Do not forget the usefulness of the spirit of combat. If
you do, you will not act with the reality of keeping death in
mind. A warrior who wields a weapon at his side but does not
put the spirit into his heart is nothing more than a merchant
clad in armor.
If you keep the spirit of combat in your heart during
combat, you will realize this may be your last fight. Knowing
this will inspire you to give everything you have and hold
nothing back for fear of tomorrow. Even if you fall in battle,
you will be remembered as a true warrior.
Right and Wrong
As long as a warrior shall live, it is expected to know
the difference of right and wrong. You should always strive to
do what is right and avoid that which is wrong. Acting wrongly
and behaving badly may be fun and familiar, which tend to lead
toward things that are wrong. It becomes tiresome for you to do
what is right.
The fool who can not tell the difference between what is
right and wrong is not worth remembering. Therefore, warriors
should consider it essential to always know right from wrong.
When it comes to doing what is right and wrong, the difference
is the sense of shame. If you realize that you do things that
bring shame to you and you are unconcerned, there is nothing
anyone can teach you. However, if you manage to do something
shameful and feel remorse, there is much you can learn. A
warrior should always strive to do what does not bring shame,
though it can not always be avoided.
Respect
A warrior must always show courtesy and respect. This
would reflect on a warrior's knowledge of what is right and
wrong. If you do not have the ability to hold your tongue and
act without thinking, you have lacked the courtesy and respect
of giving a thought out comment. Do not act unmannerly in
conversation and interaction with others, no matter who the
company. If you do so, you cannot be in accord with the ways
of respect and courtesy, thus being remembered as such.
If you do act with respect and courtesy in all ways, you
will be remembered as an honorable warrior. Thus, people may
trust you with their very lives each time they look upon you.
No upstanding warrior would be rude toward anyone, at the very
least a man toward a woman. This is frowned upon and you will
be remembered as a man who took pleasure in degrading a woman.
However if you act appropriately in the presence of a woman,
you will be thought of as a respectful and courteous warrior.
Act with courtesy and respect in all aspects of life.
Warrior's fame
A warrior does not have his name remembered simply by
status or fortune. A warrior is remembered through achievements
on and off of the battlefield. For those who have died
dishonorably and those who have died honorably in battle, the
pain was the same when the enemy took their life. Realizing
this: the true attitude of a warrior should be in realizing
that if you must give up your life, do so in a heroic fashion,
startling enemies and allies alike. You will be remembered as
a warrior who gave his life willingly to defeat his adversaries.
However, a warrior who lags behind others when attacking,
yet to be sure to be the first to make retreat or to hide
behind one's enemy when besieging an enemy, using them as a
shield only to be downed by a stray attack, trampled upon by
enemies and allies alike is a far worse fate and regrettable
situation. For a warrior no error could be worse.
Criticism
A warrior should always be careful not to gossip, even if
you hear or see bad things about your colleagues. The reason
for this is that you never know what kind of mistake you
yourself may make. It may happen that you may request
assistance from those people, silencing the mouth that up
until now has slandered this person. Regardless of the matter,
this should not come from the mouth of one who is supposedly a
warrior.
Self-expression
As a warrior, you may do such an extraordinary job that
you feel in your heart you have done a fine job and others are
also moved to praise you for it. Yet the higher class does not
seem to think so much of it. If you complain about the
ingratitude of the higher class, doing your job without
devotion, you hold the wrong attitude. Instead, when the time
calls for you to come to arms, give forth an even greater
effort until you have reached those which you wish to please.
Whether or not you deserve any sort of reward is entirely
up to them. All you must do is be sure to have no reason to
express dissatisfaction and perform your warrior's duty.
Relations
For a warrior to take pride in being dependable is correct.
However, if you make a show of dependability for no reason in
particular, turning up where you have no business, taking on
burdens you should not trouble yourself with, you are
considered a meddler. Even if it is a matter as to which you
think you might be helpful, if you are not asked it is best not
to involve yourself.
For example: A warrior who accepts a task has to take it
upon himself to do it, no matter how difficult it may prove to
be. Depending on how things go, it may cause you to lay down
your life. That is why you should not make a show of
dependability without good reason. Only after careful
consideration should you consider to undertake a task or
request.
If you are ready to do anything people request without
consideration and you think nothing of it when things do not
work out, you are considered a good for nothing. People shall
think twice before requesting your name for any given task, no
matter how small. Thus, one should always contemplate every
requested task before accepting and pledging himself.
The Valiant
A warrior should consider these things essential: Loyalty,
duty and valor. It may be wondered whether the duty of a
valorous warrior might be impossible to know during an era of
peace. Generally speaking, courage does not only appear when
you put on armor, wield a weapon and engage in combat. The
difference between the cowardly and courageous can be seen in
non-combative life.
A warrior who is naturally valorous practices devotion
toward his art and loyalty to his teachings. A warrior avoids
luxury and rejects the waste of coin. A warrior is not stingy
but spends his money freely when required.
A warrior is to keep fit and because he wishes to complete
something of high importance in his life, takes care of his
health. All of these reflect the mentality of the courageous.
Knowledge
A warrior should know where he is at all times by either
the distant horizon or by his surroundings. This enables you to
know the quickest route possible to where you are needed or to
where you must go to accomplish your task. It would be expected
that a warrior is able to find his way to any given location
without advice once he has accepted a task. A fool of a warrior
only accepts that which he has no clue of how to accomplish.
If a warrior must ask for advice, then he should do so in
a respectful manner. Once you learn that which you request, be
courteous and offer to repay this debt; for you are now the
wiser due to this individual. A warrior who is too proud to
repay someone for enlightening them is no true warrior indeed.
Therefore a warrior who is too foolish to request assistance
before taking a given task shall not live long. However, as a
warrior, learning all you can to broaden your knowledge is the
true path to becoming a warrior who will perform the task
successfully.
Appearance
A warrior should always bathe regularly, keeping his body
clean, shaving and dressing appropriately for the given
circumstance. No matter the situation, a warrior should always
have his weapon close by. Thus, you are always situated for
whatever occurrence arises, whether it be to walk in public or
charge into battle.
Whether you are walking, standing still, sitting down or
laying down, in your actions and manner you carry yourself in
a way that must exemplify a true warrior.
Mentor
When mentoring a student, you should be cautious in your
words for they hold much weight over what is remembered. For
instance, if you foul mouth another person, your student may
hold this individual in the same regards. Therefore, when
speaking choose your words wisely and only speak of that which
matters. Avoid useless talk while teaching your student and
keep a firm attitude while giving your instructions.
If your student fails to perform properly, it is not your
pupil's fault. You alone take the blame. It is your obligation
to train this student until he fully understands. The student
shall not come to par with the master until it is deemed so.
When you have nothing more to teach your students, they have
learned all they can from you; thus it is your duty to give
your pupils a quest for knowledge, seeking a new mentor or
learning new ways on their own.
Student
A student is not to question his mentor in any matter
publicly nor to question during instruction. However, a
student is permitted to request knowledge as to his mentor's
intentions, so long as this is done in privacy after his
training period has ceased for the day. Each day you should
wake early and practice everything you have learned. Each
night you should reflect on all that you have learned that
day before resting for the next day.
You should never ask your mentor when you shall be ready
to move from under his tutelage. Instead, wait patiently for
it is your mentor who shall know when it is your time. A
STUDENT WHO RUSHES TO BE HIS OWN MENTOR, HAS A FOOL FOR A
STUDENT.
Enlightenment
To strive for enlightenment is vital for a warrior's
survival. Gaining all the knowledge possible from one's mentor
and being set forth to begin your own quest for enlightenment
is an important time in a warrior's life. This is where you
should seek to converse with others and read to educate your
mind with that which you did not know. This is not a task of
the enlightenments like those of the cloth. It is only to
educate your mind and condition your body for a variety of
situations. To close yourself off from the world is to disgrace
your mentor and yourself. It is also your duty to learn all
things possible for someday you may have the honor of mentoring
a student of your own. Therefore, when your student approaches
you with a question, you will not look dumbfounded.
It is also important to remember if you find a new mentor,
not to disrespect your previous mentor by forgetting him.
Before requesting for another to be your mentor, announce who
your previous teacher in an honorably fashion. However, once
you are under a new tutelage, your previous mentor shall no
longer be considered so. They will now be considered a part of
you, not your mentor. You will praise and honor your new mentor
without question as you did with your previous. They will now
hold your loyalty, even in the presence of your previous
teacher. In privacy you may kneel before your previous teacher
in respect, though in public it will be disrespectful toward
your current mentor unless noted otherwise.
Mindset
To have a clear and educated mind is the strongest weapon
a warrior will wield, though a weapon is not far behind. To
think that everything will sway in your favor is ridiculous.
A warrior who has not tasted defeat in some fashion shall never
be a true warrior. One who has not been defeated does not know
the value of being on top, simply because they have not fallen
from their place. To be knocked down only to rise back up is a
true warrior's spirit. The saying "That which does not kill you,
makes you stronger" should only be taken so far. A warrior
should take this to mean "That which does not kill you, shall
eventually if you do not learn from it". Thus, you will
understand if you have been defeated by a certain means, you
shall take special caution to prevent it from reoccurring.
Do not brag of your victories. For you may have slain a
hundred under your weapon, even the strongest of warriors can
fall to a bee while their mouth is open. You would be
remembered as the one who had slain many in battle but died
with a mouth that could not be shut. Instead, let tales be told
of your victories from others mouths long after you are gone.
To converse freely with your companions in private company is
without question. However,bragging publicly about your victims
makes you look no different than a drunk. Remember even the
largest and fiercest creation can fall victim to even the
smallest.
Ideals
A warrior should not show the least bit of cowardice on
the battlefield. "Those who would save their life shall lose it
and those who would give up their life shall save it".
You should not tell a lie in any situation whatsoever.
Though truth may not always be rewarded right off, in the end
it will receive the compassion of all.
"Avoid the enemy's strength; strike at his weakness."
Though this is a common thought, you would be surprised how
many do not follow it.
Remember to choose your words wisely. "Good news never
leaves the city, but bad news travels a thousand miles."
You should not be negligent in having your armor in good
condition. "A nine-story tower begins with the foundation."
You should judge good and evil well. "If one good deed is
disregarded, the good acts of all will decline. If one evil
deed is praised, all will return to evil."
If you never make an effect, it will be difficult to come
up in the world. "The journey of a thousand miles begins with
a single step."
You should not torture yourself over a single mistake.
What is essential is your presence of mind thereafter. "When
one makes a mistake, he should not be hesitant to correct it.
Making a mistake and not correcting it is the real mistake."
You should not criticize people unnecessarily in the
presence of others. "One should praise another's good points,
but not talk about their bad ones."
Necessities
A warrior should only carry the essentials to survive.
Your weapon should always be well taken care of, carefully
sharpened if bladed or checked for splinters or cracks if blunt.
Never make foul use of your weapon using it for other purposes
than combat. Your armor should be maintained and checked
regularly. Any loose links or dents should be taken to a smith
and repaired promptly. Damaged armor can lead to your downfall
if neglected. Provisions are also a high importance. Only carry
that which you would require for the task you set out to
accomplish. If you are capable at catching game and preparing
your catch, carried provisions can be less than usual.
A warrior should also carry a bit of coin on them as well.
You may never know when you will run into a weary traveler who
could use some assistance or come to a tavern which houses some
information which can be bought. Also having a few torches
handy shall come in useful. It is never wise to roam in the
dark without any knowledge of your surroundings. One stubborn
rock or tree root can end your travels quickly.
Military Life
A warrior who joins the ranks of the military will have
his perspectives changed. You will no longer fight for yourself
but for the people who you defend. You will no longer bow to
one mentor but to many. Your garments and speech will change.
Your style and movements will change as well. However, a few
things do remain the same. You will learn to use your weapon
more proficiently and bring your mind to a more tactful level.
A warrior and soldier are not far apart by those means. Both
desire to use their weapon as part of their spirit and yet both
strive to push their minds into an alarmingly alert state.
Each however will take you in different directions in life,
Where a warrior would seek to better himself through travels
and teachings, a soldier would better himself through training
from handed down tactics and better a group of arms rather than
himself. If you are going to study military tactics, you should
not stop halfway. You should practice until you read the inner
secrets. If you only work mildly, not putting forth much effort,
you will be unable to reach your goals leaving you frustrated
and demoralized. This is regrettable.
Facing Death
I would suppose the largest concern of a warrior is how he
will act at the moment of his death. No matter how intelligent
you may normally seem to be, if you lose your composure before
your last breath and then die in an disrespectful manner, your
previous conduct through life will all be in vain. This is not
a favorable death. To die of illness is not the real goal of a
warrior, but it can't be helped. When you are about to die, let
your words be good. In this, you will have accepted the fact
that death is inevitable and face it with a smile.
If you go onto the battlefield with a cowardly attitude,
it is no way to have an honorable death. Therefore, if you know
your time is at hand, make your final time memorable and do not
waste it with fussing and nonsense. Instead, converse with your
loved ones, inform your student, and make preparations for your
belongings.
If you lived your life with respect and courtesy toward
all forms of life, your name shall not be forgotten along side
of those cowards who have hidden from living.
Closure
In closure, this is what I follow and practice. I write
this now to remember in days long past of how I lived. In the
event that I am granted the choice to mentor a student and I
have fallen before finishing my teachings, there shall be some
memory of my choice how to live. Though I cannot recommend this
life for everyone, for some it shall prove to be a long lived
adventure, Hard enduring but long lived.
Determination, patience, respect and courtesy are what
must be practiced on a daily basis. Never forgot your place
and your teachings. Never forget the people who have lent you
their hand when you needed it. Always remember who you are.
Judael Xael