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.
Chief Tecumseh (Crouching Tiger)
