" The Great Shawnee Warrior and Statesman "


"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 nothing, 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."


Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation


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