Conducts of Virtue: Difference between revisions
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<span class="DROPCAP">F</span>rom the Quartos Toranis with comments from Ortheus. | <span class="DROPCAP">F</span>rom the [[Quartos Toranis]] with comments from Ortheus. | ||
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===== Valor ===== | ===== Valor ===== | ||
''Those who follow Toran shall show determination in facing great danger and show the strength to do what is right by the Hand of Virtue.'' | ''Those who follow [[Toran]] shall show determination in facing great danger and show the [[strength]] to do what is right by the Hand of [[Virtue]].'' | ||
This is a primary conduct for a Toranite. But standing before overwhelming odds is not the only kind of valor. Sometimes, it is to do what is right. Sometimes, it is to stand for something in the face of ridicule. And sometimes, it is even to withdraw when a battle is lost but the war can still be won. Valor can be joyous, and it can be painful. But it should be for need, never for appearance or pride. Following the course of what is right, will never cause shame.<br /> | This is a primary conduct for a Toranite. But standing before overwhelming odds is not the only kind of valor. Sometimes, it is to do what is right. Sometimes, it is to stand for something in the face of ridicule. And sometimes, it is even to withdraw when a battle is lost but the war can still be won. Valor can be joyous, and it can be painful. But it should be for need, never for appearance or pride. Following the course of what is right, will never cause shame.<br /> | ||
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Some mistake this conduct as faith. Faith is obvious. Faith is ingrained. But faith can also be very quiet, a soft voice at night, a whisper. What is required for those who would stand fast and bring the heart of our Great Leader to the world is the ability to say, "And this I believe!"Those who see us with the truth of our god as comfortable and strong on us as our own skin cannot help but ask, "Who is it you follow?" | Some mistake this conduct as faith. Faith is obvious. Faith is ingrained. But faith can also be very quiet, a soft voice at night, a whisper. What is required for those who would stand fast and bring the heart of our Great Leader to the world is the ability to say, "And this I believe!"Those who see us with the truth of our god as comfortable and strong on us as our own skin cannot help but ask, "Who is it you follow?" | ||
Conviction is born of trial. Conviction isn't given or memorized. It is learned like letters and numbers, one lesson at a time. Fear is natural, but as with valor, you know when Toran has set you on the right path. You know, in your head and in your heart, what is the right thing to do. You know! And that is conviction. | Conviction is born of trial. Conviction isn't given or memorized. It is learned like letters and numbers, one lesson at a time. [[Fear]] is natural, but as with valor, you know when Toran has set you on the right path. You know, in your head and in your heart, what is the right thing to do. You know! And that is conviction. | ||
===== Humility ===== | ===== Humility ===== | ||
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While empathy brings understanding, conviction and valor can bring pride. And pride can bring ego, and ego can bring intolerance and a sense of importance. It was this lesson the justicars brought so tragically to life, and it is why the conducts have always been balanced. | While empathy brings understanding, conviction and valor can bring pride. And pride can bring ego, and ego can bring intolerance and a sense of importance. It was this lesson the justicars brought so tragically to life, and it is why the conducts have always been balanced. | ||
For valor there is restraint, for conviction there is humility, for honorable combat there is sacrifice. Remember who grants you strength, the ability to heal, and protect. Remember that while he is a god, he was a man. A man who did not stand on a pedestal. A man who did not take for granted others and who did not use his strength to put others under his heel but rather assisted and protected. Every day, walk in his humble steps. | For valor there is restraint, for conviction there is humility, for honorable combat there is sacrifice. Remember who grants you strength, the ability to [[heal]], and protect. Remember that while he is a god, he was a man. A man who did not stand on a pedestal. A man who did not take for granted others and who did not use his strength to put others under his heel but rather assisted and protected. Every day, walk in his humble steps. | ||
===== Sacrifice ===== | ===== Sacrifice ===== | ||
''Be ready to give of yourself in time, in labor, and if Toran wills it, in life's blood.'' | ''Be ready to give of yourself in time, in labor, and if Toran [[wills]] it, in life's blood.'' | ||
There are so many ways one can sacrifice. You could give away money or possessions. For many of you, that's not a problem. You could lend assistance, a strong back, a gentle touch, a caring ear. This too is easy as well as important. You could use the example of Clarissa here, and spend a year or more aiding others in need day to day. You could stand fast in front of an enemy threatening one weaker than yourself, and die to give them the time to flee. | There are so many ways one can sacrifice. You could give away money or possessions. For many of you, that's not a problem. You could lend assistance, a strong back, a gentle touch, a caring ear. This too is easy as well as important. You could use the example of Clarissa here, and spend a year or more aiding others in need day to day. You could stand fast in front of an enemy threatening one weaker than yourself, and die to give them the time to flee. | ||
Remember that sacrifice is both small and large. The parents whose stomachs growl so their children will not cry with hunger. The mother who shivers so her baby can sleep warmly.The Prunillan who works day and night to create a seed that will grow under this cold gray light. You are not alone when you open your heart and hands. | Remember that sacrifice is both small and large. The parents whose stomachs growl so their children will not cry with [[hunger]]. The mother who shivers so her baby can [[sleep]] warmly.The Prunillan who works day and night to create a seed that will grow under this [[cold]] gray [[light]]. You are not alone when you open your heart and hands. | ||
===== Honorable Combat ===== | ===== Honorable Combat ===== | ||