Shard] - Sosaria
[Type] - Philosophy
[Book] - Purple - 40 pages

[Title] - To Walk In Virtue Pt.I
[Author] - Lord British

[Page 1]
If one accepts that the
next area of human
growth should not be
fostered through
aggressive territorial
expansion, then a possible
answer emerges. One
must turn inward. Of late

[Page 2]
a small group of
inquisitive philosophers at
the Lycaeum have been
asking such questions of
each other. While their
musings seem quite radical
and new, they are worthy
of consideration:

[Page 3]
Is living a life of virtue
an essential element of
civilization, or can society
survive the test of time
without such principles?
How might we ensure the
long-term continuation of
our new-found peace?

[Page 4]
What systems of laws
and ethics will ensure the
continued happiness of all
our people?
Why does Evil still stalk
the world and can it
ever be truly vanquished?



[Page 5]
If the public set of
ethics which evolved from
the days of primordial
survival is impure, how
can we achieve a clean
foundation upon which to
build a life of virtue?


[Page 6]
Given the premise that
to understand purity, one
must strive to be so,
how does one strive for
that which cannot be
understood?
If our true purpose here
is to achieve a balance

[Page 7]
with our surroundings
as is suggested in the
ancient scrolls of the
Library of Truth. How
can we face Nature
without first facing
ourselves?


[Page 8]
Meditation may hold the
key. In this transcendental
state one is freed from
the shackles of modern
living. The whole of the
universe resonates with
the individual, and one
feels, for the fleetest

[Page 9]
of moments, a sense of
belonging to a greater
whole. Yet when the
meditation ends, the
walker returns from this
brief glimpse of the
sublime to the daily
need for survival.

[Page 10]
It is time for all to
put aside their warlike
ways and begin fighting
the evil that lurks within
themselves. It is far too
easy to sit and espouse
the path of Virtue, yet
never set foot upon it.

[Page 11]
The ancient rule of
treating others as you
would be treated yourself
takes on new meaning
when put into context of
universal harmony. We
must become living
examples of our beliefs.

[Page 12]
How does one begin to
first walk along this new
way? Do road markers
exist if we but open our
eyes to see them?
To be at peace in all
areas is a state achieved
by total enlightenment.

[Page 13]
Is such a state
attainable by any human,
fallible as we all are?
The true answer can only
be found by those who
quest forth in search of
it - for who can see the
end of the Path before

[Page 14]
beginning the journey?
Yet it is also written
that for each person the
Path is different.
Many philosophers hold
the opinion that the Path
is in reality but a series
of separate small paths.


[Page 15]
Each minor path leads to
the fulfillment of an
aspect of ourselves.
Treading one of these
minor paths may be
construed as a life's goal
and many people have
debated which is the

[Page 16]
most advantageous to
follow. Yet is not the
whole much greater than
the sum of its parts?
Take up the challenge and
tread not one but all of
the minor paths in the
search for enlightenment

[Page 17]
and perfection. Perhaps
only then will you find
the beginnings of the
great Path. The Quest of
the Virtues awaits. It is
not your heritage that
you seek, but your
destiny!

[Page 18]
THE THREE PRINCIPALS:

Each of the eight virtues
is made by combining the
three basic principles of
Truth, Love and Courage.



[Page 19]
The Principle of TRUTH
means being true to
oneself, as much as to
others. It points the way
to enlightenment and
self-knowledge. Truth is
opposed by Falsehood,
which is self-deception


[Page 20]
and delusion masquerading
as wisdom. Falsehood is
expedience, justifying evil
deeds for good ends. It
is hypocrisy, demanding of
others what you do not
demand of yourself!


[Page 21]
The Principle of LOVE
rejects any distinction
between the self and
others. It means doing
what is right for its
own sake, not in
expectation of reward- it
sustains the soul on the

[Page 22]
path to enlightenment.
Love is opposed by
Hatred, which is both
self-hatred and the
hatred of others, even
one's enemies.



[Page 23]
Hatred is corruption,
destroying that which you
love even as you seek to
preserve it. It is despair,
seeing only the evil and
not the good.



[Page 24]
The principle of COURAGE
means having the strength
of will to master one's
destiny. It means fighting
evil, both within and
without - it provides
what is necessary to
make the final step to


[Page 25]
Enlightenment.
Courage is opposed by
Cowardice, which is
self-doubt and lack of
resolve. Cowardice is
cravenness, the failure to
stand by one's beliefs
when put to the test.

[Page 26]
It is weakness, choosing
the easy path that leads
to destruction.






[Page 27]
THE EIGHT VIRTUES:
After years of meditation
and thought, after
hundreds of quests along
the mental, physical
and spiritual path to
peace and fulfillment, a
person might reach near

[Page 28]
perfection in the eight
Virtues of Enlightenment.
Only while an individual
continues to strive
against the external and
internal forces of evil,
can he or she be said to
be on the path of

[Page 29]
Enlightenment.
Each of Britannia's eight
leading cities and towns
celebrates one of the
Virtues of Enlightenment,
and each has raised a
shrine to that virtue.
The shrines are located

[Page 30]
in retreats to ensure
tranquility in natural
settings, so traveling to
some shrines requires a
considerable journey from
their towns.



[Page 31]
Proper meditation requires
knowledge of the mantra
for that virtue. A
mantra is a sound
repeated continuously
during meditation, helping
to clear the mind and
focus the spirit.

[Page 32]
Each virtue has a specific
mantra that works best
for it, and sincere
meditation can bring great
wisdom. Seek out a peer
in the virtue to receive
the Mantra for a specific
shrine.

[Page 33]
HONESTY
Honesty is more
than telling the truth. It
means refraining from
self-deception as much as
it means not deceiving
others. Honesty is the
most important virtue,

[Page 34]
because without
self-knowledge, there can
be no possibility of
enlightenment. The shrine
of Honesty is located on
Ice Isle, north of
Verity Isle.



[Page 35]
COMPASSION
Unconditional empathy for
others. Compassion
requires one to refrain
from adding to the pain
and anguish in the world.
Compassion is the most
important virtue, because

[Page 36]
alleviating suffering is the
ultimate aim of good.
The shrine of Compassion
is located in the great
desert northeast
of Britain, and northwest
of the village of Cove.


[Page 37]
VALOR
Moral as well as
physical strength- the
courage and dedication to
fight your enemies, no
matter the odds. Valor
is the most important
virtue, because evil must

[Page 38]
be defeated before good
can triumph. On an island
southwest of the great
keep, known as Serpent's
Hold, can be found
the shrine of Valor.



[Page 39]

Original documents
provided by Sherry the
Mouse
Translated by Omnedon