WISDOM FROM THE NATIVE AMERICAN LEADER TECUMSEH
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about his 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."
