WORDS TO LIVE BY
Found at http://www.sunflower.org/~hdqrs/

 

Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation  --

 

"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, perfect 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 the 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 for the joy of 

living. If you see no reason for giving 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. When it comes your time to die, be not 

like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their 

time comes they 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."

 

 

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