For the New Year

[eldritchhobbit]

Happy 2010! Best wishes to one and all.

Each year I revisit this quote. I think it is worth repeating...


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 no thing,
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.

- attributed to Tecumseh (1768?-1813), Shawnee Nation

(Note: The historian in me demanded that I add this footnote, just FYI. While researching and writing this I failed to find an adequate source for the above quote, so I suspect it has been enhanced and adjusted over the years, and might not even have originated with him at all. The sentiments, however, fit quite well with more verifiable statements and speeches made by Tecumseh.)

Comments

[syredronning.livejournal.com]

*gets all mushy like every year over reading this*

Happy New Year, dear!

(And I didn't forget about the cards, will be on their way soon!)

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

It certainly is well worth revisiting.

A Very Happy New Year to you and yours.

I'm so glad that I know you.

*Hugs*

[dejla.livejournal.com]

whether or not authentic, it is a lovely thing.

[agameofthree.livejournal.com]

I agree, it's an amazing quote regardless of its origin, and definitely words to live by. Happy New Year!

[xanath.livejournal.com]

I've read that numerous times, and frankly, I don't care if Tecumseh never said it. It just sounds like something he would have said.

{{{{{{{{{{Amy}}}}}}}}}} Happy New Year, and thank you for the beautiful post.

[cookiefleck.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can understand the difficulty of determining provenance. In fact, this text (redacted from later versions of the quote) prompted much debate among scholars: "Give thanks for online shopping, fast-forward buttons on remote controls, and microwave ovens."

Hee.

[gamgeefest.livejournal.com]

That is a lovely quote. These are words we should all attempt to live by. Thanks for posting them.

[savageseraph.livejournal.com]

Even though I've read this other years, it's still just as moving as it was the first time.

[abbie (from livejournal.com)]

Happy New Year, kid!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I get all mushy, too! :) Happy New Year to you, my friend!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that I know you, too, my friend! *hugs you back - and sneaks in an ear scratch for Lacey, too*

Happy 2010!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you think so. I agree!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you think so, too. Happy 2010 to you, too!

I love your icon. ;)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hee! ;)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! I'm so glad you liked the quote, too.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to hear it. I feel the same way!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

And to you, too! :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I agree!

Happy 2010 to you, too, my friend. *hugs you tightly*

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *More hugs* Lacey thanks you too.

And Happy 2010 to you.

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

(Note: The historian in me demanded that I add this footnote, just FYI. While researching and writing this I failed to find an adequate source for the above quote...


LOL! You are such a *GEEK*! It's gorgeous, no matter *who* wrote it.