The Seven Principles of Bushido: The Samurai Way
Honesty & Justice
Gi
Be acutely Honest throughout your dealings with
all people.
Believe in Justice, not from other people, but from yourself.
To the true Samurai, there are no shades of gray in the question of Honesty
and Justice.
There is only Right and Wrong.
Polite Courtesy
Rei
Samurai have no reason to be cruel.
They do not need to prove their strength.
A Samurai is Courteous even to his enemies.
Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than animals.
A Samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by
his dealing with other men.
The true strength of a Samurai becomes apparent during difficult times.
Heroic Courage
Yu
Rise up above the masses of people
who are afraid to act.
Hiding like a turtle in a shell is not living at all.
A Samurai must have Heroic Courage.
It is absolutely risky.
It is dangerous.
It is living life completely, fully, wonderfully.
Heroic Courage is not blind, it is Intelligent and Strong.
Honor
Meiyo
A true Samurai has only one judge
of Honor, and this is Himself.
Decisions you make and how these decisions are carried out are reflections
of whom you truly are.
You cannot hide from yourself.
Compassion
Jin
Through intense training the Samurai
becomes quick and strong.
He is not as other men.
He develops a power that must be used for the good of all.
He has Compassion.
He helps his fellow man at every opportunity.
If an opportunity does not arise, he goes out of his way ot find one.
Complete Sincerity
Makoto
When a Samurai has said he will
perform an action, it is as good as done.
Nothing will stop him from completing what he has said he will do.
He does not have to "give his word."
He does not have to "promise."
Speaking and Doing are the same action.
Duty & Loyalty
Chu
For the Samurai, having done some
"thing" or said some "thing," he knows he owns that
"thing."
He is responsible for it, and all the consequences that follow.
A Samurai is immensely loyal to those in his care, to those he is responsible
for.
He remains fiercely True.
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