Aphorisms of the Codes of the Caste of Warriors

[Raziel]

-72nd Aphorism of the Codes-

The true Warrior shall choose his cause wisely; this done, he shall then discharge his duty honorably.

[Raziel]

-44th Aphorism of the Codes-

Victory is a state of being, which begins as a state of mind. The one cannot help but follow the other.

[Raziel]

-15th Aphorism of the Codes-

There are no pleasant endings to things, even in victory and triumph; for nothing ever ends, as long as Tor-tu-Gor burns.

[Raziel]

-55th Aphorism of the Codes-

Thirty spokes will converge at the hub of a wheel... but the use of the cart depends upon the empty spaces between the spokes. A clay bowl is bounded by a wall all around... but the use of the bowl will depend upon the empty space within. Build a cylinder to the sky...walls 1000 feet high! But the use of the structure will depend upon the empty space within! So advantage is to be had from the solidity of things... but their usefulness must depend upon the spaces within, and what things they contain.

[Raziel]

-61st Aphorism of the Codes-

A young Warrior sought out a great fencing teacher in Tor, but was disappointed when he was given a wooden spoon instead of a sword and ordered to cook for the teacher's family. Then one day the teacher approached him silently and struck him with a wooden practice sword as he cooked. The young student was never allowed to lift a weapon, and every day for many years the young warrior was struck, until in desperation he began to parry the sword away from him with the wooden spoon. At last the day came when he was so skilled he could no longer be struck, or taken unawares. He was then given a real sword, and discovered that he was first sword of Tor.

[Raziel]

-96th Aphorism of the Codes-

A young Warrior asked one who was wiser than he whether or not the Cities of Dust existed, and where might be found the gate to Victory. The wise Warrior told him he was foolish to ask such a thing. The younger one angrily drew his sword, crying "Here opens the gate to the Cities of Dust!"

The older Warrior calmly and smoothly snatched the sword from his angry grasp and resheathed it before the other could strike him, saying: "And here opens the Gate to Victory."

[Raziel]

-37th Aphorism of the Codes-

Let the Free Companion of the Warrior who has dishonored himself be locked in a collar of slavery by he who has conquered, that all may see and know that the honor of the fallen is as naught. The Companion of the dishonored is the property of his destroyer, and may be used as he sees fit.

[Raziel]

-68th Aphorism of the Codes-

A tarn which is hobbled may not fly free; that which is free, and cannot be free, will surely die.

[Raziel]

-81st Aphorism of the Codes-

Warfare is the strictest proving ground of my honor.

[Raziel]

-19th Aphorism of the Codes-

A Ubar displayed his city's Home Stone to a peasant, who in return displayed the Home Stone of his hut. Which was more beautiful?

[Raziel]

-10th Aphorism of the Codes-

It is perilous to detain a Warrior enroute to his City.

[Raziel]

-20th Aphorism of the Codes-

No Warrior can be of the Warriors who lives not the Codes of his caste.

[Raziel]

-88th Aphorism of the Codes-

A Warrior may pledge to defend or to avenge. Guard your charge well lest one become the other.

[Raziel]

-54th Aphorism of the Codes-

The larl does not drink from the same pool as the urt.

[Raziel]

-79th Aphorism of the Codes-

A Warrior demands respect from those of lower castes.