Main > The Round Table

Be a Knight in your heart.

(1/5) > >>

Thorsteinn:
"A knight once said to me "It does not matter what is around your waist or hanging from your neck. You are not in control of that. Be a knight in your heart". So... here is a discussion question for us. What does 'Be a knight in your heart' mean to you?" -Mistress Siobhan Ni Seaghdha, SCA OP

My answer is ~

Never give up, never surrender. Fight knowing you can stop. Be the best you can be & never settle though leave room to forgive the self. Be kind. Be strong. Be a wolverine on the field and a mench off. Be someone worthy of great enemies (and yes, don't be someone without any). Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your own loss.

Sir Martyn:
An excellent query to ponder, Sir Thorsteinn - thank you for sharing.

You may have seen by my sig line this is a theme in fact near and dear to my heart :)

Indeed the quality I think you are describing - it strikes me as determination, self-will or perhaps simply courage, to summarize in my own poor wording - is indeed central to the "heart" of knighthood.

If I may expound, I would also posit that true knowledge/recognition of self -- and especially one's own weaknesses -- is just as important.  You mentioned it, giving yourself leeway and tolerance for limitations.

It seems to me that even the greatest of heroes are (and indeed must be) flawed.  For perfection belongs to the divine, but we are human.  And to have the capacity to learn and improve -- also central to knighthood, surely -- then we must also have the capacity, even occasionally the will, to err.

And without the knowledge of our won weakness - and more rarely, the courage character and inner strength to defeat it (perhaps never to master) then how can we hope to defeat our enemies -- the greatest of which may ultimately lie within?

Lord Dane:
Being a knight within, means that your true self is always reflected outward. Always be true and faithful to who you are, what you value most, what you are most passionate for ....

Love unconditionally, Live with aspiration, Strive to be better oneself in all aspects of your own being. Always seek to self-improve, Learn all you can to be more understanding, Train to be more accepting and less indulgent. Discipline through devotion, Temperance through tolerance ....

Seek to be more mindful of others and less concerned for yourself. Selflessness above selfishness is service to all. Find truth in who you are and purpose in what you do. Live life without remorse, Regret only what you have yet to accomplish.

Always be a person of faith, honor, prudence, and wisdom. Be just to all in how you serve, and let your life be what reflects you ....   

Let death be a means of honor for the life you had, sacrifice you made, and those you served.

Sir Edward:

These are all great answers.

One of the concepts I keep returning to is what CS Lewis wrote in his "The Necessity of Chivalry" essay, which is the idea of being both fierce and meek. Being ferocious when appropriate (when on the field, at the job, or what have you), while also being meek when called for (off the field, at home, in social situations). Having these things in proper measure, being a gentleman, being true to your word. It all goes together.

Sir Nate:
always tell the truth, even if it means putting you life or someone elses in danger.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page