This High Place

Tyrtaeus of Sparta
I would not say anything for a man nor take account of him
For any speed of his feet or wrestling skill he might have,
Not if he had the size of a Cyclops and strength to go with it,
Not if he could outrun Boreas, the North Wind of Thrace,
Not if he were more handsome and gracefully formed than Tithonos,
Or had more riches than Midas had, or Kinyras too,
Not if he were more of a king than Tantalid Pelops,
Or had the power of speech and persuasion Adrastos had,
Not if he had all splendors except for a fighting spirit.
For no man ever proves himself a good man in war
Unless he can endure to face the blood and the slaughter,
Go close against the enemy and fight with his hands.
Here is courage, mankind’s finest possession, here is
The noblest prize that a young man can endeavor to win,
And it is a good thing his city and all the people share with him
When a man plants his feet and stands in the foremost spears
Relentlessly, all thought of foul flight completely forgotten,
And has well trained his heart to be steadfast and to endure,
And with words encourages the man who is stationed beside him.
Here is a man who proves himself to be valiant in war.
With a sudden rush he turns to flight the rugged battalions
Of the enemy, and sustains the beating waves of assault.
And he who so falls among the champions and loses his sweet life,
So blessing with honor his city, his father, and all his people,
With wounds in his chest, where the spear that he was facing has transfixed
That massive guard of his shield, and gone through his breastplate as well,
Why, such a man is lamented alike by the young and the elders,
And all his city goes into mourning and grieves for his loss.
His tomb is pointed to with pride, and so are his children,
And his children’s children, and afterward all the race that is his.
His shining glory is never forgotten, his name is remembered,
And he becomes an immortal, though he lies under the ground,
When one who was a brave man has been killed by the furious War God
Standing his ground and fighting hard for his children and land.
But if he escapes the doom of death, the destroyer of bodies,
And wins his battle, and bright renown for the work of his spear,
All men give place to him alike, the youth and the elders,
And much joy comes his way before he goes down to the dead.
Aging, he has reputation among his citizens.  No one
Tries to interfere with his honors or all he deserves;
All men withdraw before his presence, and yield their seats to him,
The youth, and the men his age, and even those older than he.
Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage
With all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war.
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On This Day In:
2014	Elected Madness
2013	Well Written
2012	Related Parts
2011	The King Is Oscar
	Better Reputation?

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I’ve Got To Run

…I know what death is and all you people don’t even know what life is.
There’s nothing noble about dying.  Not even if you die for honor.  Not even if you die the greatest hero the world ever saw.  Not even if you’re so great your name will never be forgotten and who’s that great?  The most important thing is your life little guys.  You’re worth nothing dead except for speeches.  Don’t let them kid you any more.  Pay no intention when they tap you on the shoulder and say come along we’ve got to fight for liberty or what ever their word is there’s always a word.
Just say mister I’m sorry I got no time to die I’m too busy and then run and run like hell.  If they say coward why don’t you pay any attention because it’s your job to live not to die.
—    Dalton Trumbo
From: “johnny got his gun“
[I’ve heard it said this book is the most shocking anti-war novel ever written.  To me, it is more than that.  It is a statement about a man who lives on.  Though by all normal definitions, he is dead.  He lives on…     —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2014	Which Is It?
2013	Making You Stronger
2012	Sick Of Being Sick
	Greater Than Power
2011	Clear, Specific And Measurable
2010	The Runner’s High
	Into The Dark…

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Who You Are

I understand why we do that now.  It’s a help, not a threat.  It’s something to remind you how important words are.  Ideas are important.  Principles are important.  Words are important.  Your word is the most important of all.  Your word is who you are.
—    Tom Clancy
[Found on a blog I follow: http://dshenai.wordpress.com/
The specific post is:  http://dshenai.wordpress.com/2013/10/03/tribute-to-tom-clancy-with-his-insightful-quotes/
Thanks Deo!   —   KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2012	Mine Stands
2011	Aversions

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Real Honor

Real honor comes from honoring humanity.
—  Lt. Col. Peter Fromm, U.S. Army, Retired; Lt. Col. Douglas Pryer, U.S. Army; and Lt. Col. Kevin Cutright, U.S. Army
From their article: “The Myths We Soldiers Tell Ourselves (and the Harm These Myths Do)“
Found at: http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/MilitaryReview/Archives/English/ MilitaryReview_20131031_art010.pdf
Originally found via one of the blogs I follow: http://carryingthegun.wordpress.com/
The specific post is:  http://carryingthegun.wordpress.com/2013/10/05/ the-ethics-of-the-marine-corps-urination-case/
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On This Day In:
2012	Thoughts And Communications
2011	But How Does Peter Feel?
2010	Name That Regret

 

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