Bushido: The 7 Virtues
The Code of the Samurai
- Respect (rei) - Politeness, courtesy and excellent manners will be a part of my life. Politeness is a poor virtue if it is only actuated by a fear of offending. It must stem from a sympathetic regard for others.
- Honesty (makoto) - Lying is a cowardly, dishonorable act. My word can be taken as a guarantee of truthfulness.
- Courage (yu[u]) - Courage is the virtue of righteousness. Sacrificing safety for an unworthy cause is stupidity. I will admit my mistake. I will sacrifice myself in order to save someone from despair. I ill stand on my right decisions.
- Rectitude (gi) - I will use correct judgement at a time where judgement is called for. I will strike when it is right to strike. I will do the right thing at the right time. Crooked ways and unjust actions are lowly and inhumane.
- Loyalty (chu[u]gi) - I will be loyal to my family, my teachers, my fellow students in the art and those who teach me outside the dojo. I will never forget the teachers labored for me.
- Honor (meiyo) - The honorable person is a humble person. Without honor there is no respect and without respect there is no honor. Honor is like a scar on a tree, which time only helps to enlarge.
- Benevolence (jin) - Love, affection for people who have earned my loyalty and an excellent mind and character towards even the most crooked beings are the highest attributes of the soul. I will never use love and benevolence to strive for supreme virtues and princely acts.
