Norse
Rede of Honor
- In
all that you do, consider its benefit or harm upon
yourself, your children and your people.
- All
that which you do will return to you, sooner or later,
for good or for ill.Thus strive always to do good to
others, or at least strive always to be just.
- Be
honest with yourself, and with others. "This above
all; to thine own self be true."
- Humankind,
and especially your own family and folk, has the spark of
divinity within it.Protect and nurture that spark.
- Give
your word sparingly, and adhere to it like iron.
- In
the world, your first trust and responsibility should be
to your own people. Yet, be kind and proper to others
whenever possible.
- What
you have, HOLD!
- Pass
on to others only those words which you have personally
verified.
- Be
honest with others, and let them know that you expect
honesty in return, always.
- The
fury of the moment plays folly with the truth; to keep
one's head is a virtue.
- Know
which battles should be fought, and which battles should
be avoided. Also, know when to break off a conflict.
There are times when the minions of chaos are simply too
strong or when fate is absolutely unavoidable.
- When
you gain power, use it carefully and use it well.
- Courage
and honor endure forever. Their echoes remain when the
mountains have crumbled to dust.
- Pledge
friendship and your services to those who are worthy.
Strengthen others of your people and they will strengthen
you.
- Love
and care for your family always, and have the fierceness
of a wolf in their protection.
- Honor
yourself, have pride in yourself, do your best and
forgive yourself when you must.
- Try
always to be above reproach in the eyes of the world.
- Those
of our people should always endure to settle any
differences among themselves quietly and peaceably.
- The
laws of the land should be obeyed whenever possible and
reason, for in the main they have been chosen with
wisdom.
- Have
pride in yourself, your family and your folk. They are
your promise for the future.
- Do
not neglect your mate and children.
- Every
one of our people should work according to the best that
s/he can do, no matter how small or how great. We are all
in this world together, thus we must always help each
other along.
- One
advances individually and collectively only by living in
harmony with the natural order of the world.
- The
seeking of wisdom is a high virtue.Love
of truth, honor, courage and loyalty are the hallmarks of
the noble soul.
- Be
prepared for whatever the future brings.
- Life
with all its joys, struggles and ambiguities is to be
embraced and lived to the fullest!
From
"The Rites of Odin" © by Ed Fitch.