ong ago, in a different time
there lived a caste of mostly men who were set apart. Not because they were
better than or above the others in their society. They were set apart because of
their dedication to a life of valor, honor and courage. The life of a knight was
one of servitude. They lived a different, more specialized type of life, honed
to a fine edge of perfection in the arts necessary to be servants to their
people and leaders. More often than not, it was not the glamorous life we see in
movies. Usually they were constantly traveling throughout their land, for they
were the upholders of the law and protectors of the weak. And during times of
war, they were the trainers and leaders of the unskilled hordes gathered to
protect their country from invaders, foreign and domestic. Often many of these
knights would join together because of their mutual belief in a specific cause.
They would form an order of chivalry in order to pool their strengths and skills
towards that end which they had dedicated themselves to, often with their very
lives.
hese values of old are worthy
and are not outmoded or archaic. We today, both men and women, could do well to
take up these codes as our own, even in this modern time. Chilvary need not and
should not be a dead trait. Most of us have lost sight of the old values; values
such as duty, honor, valor, honesty, dedication, commitment, fidelity, truth,
courage, kindness to name only just a few. We should look back to the Old Codes
and employ them as a model for our present and future outlook on how we will
conduct ourselves in our dealings with our fellow citizens of the planet. We
must face this reality with joy: We are one on this world and should honor each
other as equals worthy of all respect. Embrace the Old Codes and make them your
own!
"Every Man Dies, But Not Every Man Has Lived"
Background graphic © 1992, Courtney Davis
