Rules for a Knight

Preface

• A letter from the 15th century knight, Sir Thomas Lemuel Hawke, to his children before his death. A collection of reflections and guiding principles for living a virtuous and meaningful life.

1: Solitude

• Silence is a crucial tool to hear our inner voice and find wisdom and clarity.
• Create time away from the distractions of the world. Just as you cannot see your reflection in troubled water, you cannot see it with a troubled soul.

2: Humility

• Isn't about self-deprecation. Must have realistic and balanced view of oneself.
• You are better than no one. No one is better than you.
• "Never announce that you are a knight, simply behave as one."

3: Gratitude

• "The only intelligent response to the ongoing gift of life is gratitude."
• "The simple joys are the great ones. Pleasure is not complicated."

4: Pride

• Never attempt to diminish yourself to make others feel more comfortable. If our self-worth is low, it affects everything we do.
• "We show others the most respect by offering the best of ourselves."
• Deep focus — hard work [pride comes along the way]

5: Cooperation

• Story of Lemuel, envious of another squire Roan's skills. Grandfather asks, "is it not possible that you both can be outstanding?"
• 2 outcomes of comparing yourself: vanity or bitterness. Both are without value.
• "We must live and work together as brothers or perish together as fools."

6: Friendship

• True friendship is forged in daily workings, not grand gestures.
• It may be easy to be supportive when a friend is hurt. It is more difficult to be wholeheartedly supportive when extreme good fortune befalls your friend and not you.

7: Forgiveness

• Look for the best in others and yourself.
• Forgive and move on. Brings you and others peace.

8: Honesty

• Do not fear suffering. The strongest steel is forged in fire. "The facts are always friendly".
• Falsehood comes from darkness and hides us from others and our soul.

9: Courage

• Everything is aided by an awareness of breath. Breathe for courage.
• When you are scared, don't do it for yourself. Do it for someone else.
• "Anything that gives light must endure burning."

10: Grace

• Ability to accept change.
• Beauty fades. Inner workings is core.
• Approaching life: positive — positive & negative — negative.

11: Patience

• There is no once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "A hurried mind is an addled mind".
• The story of the Chinese farmer. No such thing as good/bad. Events are simply events.

12: Justice

• Every true knight fights for human dignity & justice at all times.
• "A knight sets out to illuminate the darkness in society, not from its leaves but from its roots."

13: Generosity

• Possessions are distractions from the real work of a knight's life. "A lion doesn't own anything at all, yet we all know his power."
• Starving boy gives bread to his younger siblings. Admiration, not pity.

14: Discipline

• "You will perform as you practice."
• "Don't save anything for the walk home."
• "Discipline, structure, and order, you will find there is freedom" & "happiness is the result of a life lived with purpose."
• "If you are concentrating on the results of your actions, you are not dedicated to your task."

15: Dedication

• "The anvil outlasts the hammer."
• "How we handle times of peace and calm will determine our behaviour in moments of crisis."
• To attain great wisdom, a knight must live a long life.

16: Speech

• Do not speak ill of others.
• Words have meaning. Do not misuse them.

17: Faith

• Some things in life are so beautiful that they should not be talked about. They can only be experienced.
• "Golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

18: Equality

• "Every knight holds human equality as an unwavering truth."

19: Love

• "Love is the end goal. It is the music of our lives. There is no obstacle that enough love cannot move."
• If you are unable to control your anger, keep your distance and mouth shut until you can.
• "There is no finite amount of love."
• Love is not wild, grand, overwhelming — it is healthy, honest, and wholesome.
• As Lemuel's relationship grew slowly and subtly, they will "always be friends" and will never "fall out of love".

20: Death

• "A knight concerns himself with the gratitude for the life he has been given."
• He does not fear death as the work one knight begins, others may finish.
• Sand castle story: His kids fought and stepped over each other's castles but eventually moved on to swimming, forgot, went home, and the rain washed the castles back to the surf.
• "Please be kind to one another."