~To Live As A Warrior~


So live your life that the fear of death
can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view,
and demand that they respect yours.

Love 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 that 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 the joy of living.
If you see no reason to give thanks,
the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and nothing, for abuse turns
the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

Live right so when it comes your time to die,
you will not be like those whose hearts are filled with
the fear of death, who weep and pray for a little more
time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

-Tecumseh
The Great Shawnee Warrior