Koga No Goshi
10-26-2008, 11:13
In old feudal societies, the leaders of clans/houses/royal families often penned house rules, or family guides, or legacies to pass on to heirs and grandchildren with their insights, philosophies and outlook on the world, people, governing, values, religion, etc.
They were often practical documents. "Don't let the family form factions." "Do not name an illegitimate child heir if you have legitimate children." "When forced to choose, anger the church before you anger the people." "Do not issue a special tax during a famine." That sort of business. They're interesting to read because they give you insight into how the educated ruler class felt about issues of the day-- it's interesting to read one of these from 500 years ago and realize, for instance, that some of them really didn't believe in religion, and just saw it as a political tool. I know that when I was younger I just had the impression that people in the past were all religious and all believed it, just as an example.
None of us are world leaders or ruling monarchs, obviously, but limiting it to bits of wisdom you live by, good pieces of advice you give, your worldview, your values, what would be your legacy to those who come after you?
I don't want to set a lot of conditions on it... but let me just make one, because most of the legacies I read were in this style. Try to keep each point/thought to a single sentence. Succinct and to the point. ;)
Example: "Never kiss and tell."
I may do mine in video/youtube format and link it. But would be very interested in seeing all of yours.
They were often practical documents. "Don't let the family form factions." "Do not name an illegitimate child heir if you have legitimate children." "When forced to choose, anger the church before you anger the people." "Do not issue a special tax during a famine." That sort of business. They're interesting to read because they give you insight into how the educated ruler class felt about issues of the day-- it's interesting to read one of these from 500 years ago and realize, for instance, that some of them really didn't believe in religion, and just saw it as a political tool. I know that when I was younger I just had the impression that people in the past were all religious and all believed it, just as an example.
None of us are world leaders or ruling monarchs, obviously, but limiting it to bits of wisdom you live by, good pieces of advice you give, your worldview, your values, what would be your legacy to those who come after you?
I don't want to set a lot of conditions on it... but let me just make one, because most of the legacies I read were in this style. Try to keep each point/thought to a single sentence. Succinct and to the point. ;)
Example: "Never kiss and tell."
I may do mine in video/youtube format and link it. But would be very interested in seeing all of yours.