Be a Knight in your heart.

[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.

[Thorsteinn]

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

Are you sure? Another's life is yours to sacrifice on the altar of your honor?

[Sir Nate]

worse comes to those who lie.

[Sir Brian]

Ah I see this discussion has segued into a debate of truth which reminded me of a discussion on that very subject a couple of years ago that produced some very astute points. But essentially Nate, the topic of truth is rarely so simple nor cut and dry.
http://modernchivalry.org/forum/index.php/topic,696.0.html

[Sir Edward]

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

Are you sure? Another's life is yours to sacrifice on the altar of your honor?

Thorsteinn brings up a good point. That's one you might want to think on, Sir Nate. To put that in perspective, would truth still be honorable, if it brought death to good people?

[Sir Edward]

That also brings up another interesting point of discussion. Does your honor require you to tell the truth, when talking to evil? As a similar example, in Muslim culture, they consider it just fine to deceive infidels. But I'm not talking about differing faith, but rather "bad guys", or real evil. If you made a pact with the devil, would you be honor-bound not to lie to him, and to uphold your end of the bargain? No right or wrong here, I'm just curious how people think on this.

[Sir William]

Your motivations are made known by your actions- for me, what powers it all is my belief in my self.  As a knight I am bound by oath to behave in a certain way, to set an example that others can look at and recognize me as such.  I am not always successful; it is a work in progress for me.  However, for those that do not- it is not always indicative of a failure or perceived lack on my part, just that they may not know or understand what knighthood and chivalry mean; it is our duty to educate those who wish to, and learn to live with those who do not.

[Sir James A]

That also brings up another interesting point of discussion. Does your honor require you to tell the truth, when talking to evil? As a similar example, in Muslim culture, they consider it just fine to deceive infidels. But I'm not talking about differing faith, but rather "bad guys", or real evil. If you made a pact with the devil, would you be honor-bound not to lie to him, and to uphold your end of the bargain? No right or wrong here, I'm just curious how people think on this.

Or as another example, police officers are allowed to lie to people if it leads them to an arrest or furthers an investigation.

Let's say they are pursuing a murder suspect, and talk to a person of questionable morality; that person says "You a cop?" and the cop says "Nope". That's a lie - but does it make the cop a bad person if that eventually brings the murderer to justice, when telling the truth would not have?

[Ian]

If I had to lie to save a friend or family member, consider it done.  I wouldn't think twice or hesitate for a milisecond if a lie meant saving my daughter or wife's life.  If that makes me dishonorable, then a knave I choose to be! 

[Sir Nate]

That also brings up another interesting point of discussion. Does your honor require you to tell the truth, when talking to evil?

I suppose not. It was a blunt thing for me to say

[Thorsteinn]

More exuberant than anything really.

Just remember the old axiom "The right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins".