A Proverb,Three Creeds and a Letter
Fear the goat from the front,
the horse from the rear,
and the man from all sides
--Russian Proverb
Creed I
Be just: the unjust never prosper.
Be valiant: die rather than yield.
Be merciful: slay neither old men, children, nor woman.
Destroy neither fruit trees, grain, nor cattle.
Keep your word, even to your enemies.
--Abu Bakr, Mohammed's father-in-law
Creed II
Twelve Things to Remember
1. The Value of Time
2. The Success of Perseverance
3. The Pleasure of Working
4. The Dignity of Simplicity
5. The Worth of Character
6. The Power of Kindness
7. The Influence of Example
8. The Obligation of Duty
9. The Wisdom of Economy
10.The Virtue of Patience
11.The Improvement of Talent
12.The Joy of Origination
--Marshall Field
Creed III
Live your life, do your work, then take your hat.
--Henry David Thoreau
A Letter
My Child,
In the life ahead of you, keep your capacity for faith and belief,
but let your judgement watch what you believe. Keep your love of life,
but throw away your fear of death. Life must be loved or it is lost,
but it never be loved too well. Keep your wonder at great and noble
things, like sunlight and thunder, the rain and the stars, and the
greatness of heroes. Keep your heart hungry for new knowledge. Keep
your hatred of a lie, and keep your power of indignation .....
I am ashamed to leave you an uncomfortable world, but someday it
will be better. And when that day comes, you will thank God for
the greatest blessing man can receive, living in peace.
--Letter from an executed Yugoslav
partisan to his unborn child
in World War II |
