Chivalry, Bushido, and Historical Codes of Conduct
How should one behave in life?
Since the dawn of writing, cultures set up codes of conduct and standards for living in society. Many of the concepts are universal.
The Code of Hammurabi is the most well-known ancient legal text. Dating back to around 1750 BC, it’s one of the oldest, although some are known to be older. Of its 211 laws, the most famous underlying principle is that of “an eye for an eye.” For example, one of the early provisions says “If a man accuses another man and charges him with homicide, but cannot bring proof against him, his accuser shall be killed.” (Umma awīlum awīlam ubbir-ma nērtam elišu iddi-ma lā uktīnšu mubbiršu iddâk.)
From there, we have the Judeo-Christian Ten Commandments, often listed as:
Thou shalt have no other gods before me, nor idols
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy
Honor thy father and thy mother
Thou shalt not murder
Thou shalt not commit adultery
Thou shalt not steal
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, or his animals, or anything of thy neighbor
Nobody knows exactly when the Ten Commandments were written. One of the oldest archeological references is the Dead Sea Scrolls (300 BC to 100 AD). There are rabbis in Orthodox Judaism who believe the Ten Commandments date back to 1312 BC.
In general, these rules are the core of a functional society. The commandments promote unity, with mutual respect for the life and property of others. It’s difficult for a community to work together when members commit crimes against each other.
Once the baseline was established, groups began to develop specific internal guidelines.
We all know of the Hippocratic Oath. Written sometime between 500 BC and 200 BC, the Hippocratic Oath includes its famous “I will do no harm or injustice” principle ("First do no harm" / Primum non nocere). Some parts are ignored in modern society, like “[I will] hold my teacher in this art equal to my own parents.” Others have been updated, like “I will never divulge… holy secrets.” This was an inspiration behind patient-doctor confidentiality policies.
The ancient Greeks also had, among other ideas, Kalos kagathos “the chivalrous ideal of the complete human personality” or “a perfect gentleman.” The term is found in multiple works, including Xenophon's Oeconomicus and Aristotle’s Eudemian Ethics.
Eastern Philosophy
In the East, the [X] Precepts developed. Five Precepts, Eight Precepts, Ten - it varies depending on the belief system and region.
The Medieval Taoist Ten Precepts are (paraphrased)
Don’t dwell on hate or jealousy. Be cautious of your speech and actions.
Don’t kill, and have compassion for all.
Aim to be pure of heart and action.
Don’t be horny.
Don’t use foul or flowery language.
Don’t do drugs.
Be modest; don’t be envious of others.
Don’t criticize, debate, or slander your sacred texts.
Don’t be argumentative with the faithful.
Be respectful towards all.
The Chinese Five Precepts and Buddhist Five Precepts are basically the same as the Ten, albeit simplified. Paraphrasing again:
Don’t kill.
Don’t steal or commit fraud.
No sexual misconduct (adultery, etc.)
Don’t lie, slander, or gossip.
Don’t do drugs.
The Brahmajāla Sutta (the beginning of the Dīgha Nikāya and part of the Sutta Piṭaka) lists a number of “higher” concepts.
“The sutta discusses two main topics: the elaboration of the Ten Precepts (Cula-sila), the Middle Precepts (Majjhima-sila), and the Great Precepts (Maha-sila).” “The second and third parts of the sutta discuss the 62 beliefs (ditthi) which are clung to by ascetics in India. These are divided into: 18 beliefs related to the past (pubbantanuditthino), and 44 beliefs about the future (aparantakappika).”
The Buddhist Eight Precepts are:
I undertake the rule of abstinence from taking life
Don’t murder
I undertake the rule of abstinence from taking what is not given
Don’t steal
I undertake the rule of abstinence from unchastity
Don’t have sex
I undertake the rule of abstinence from false speech
Don’t lie
I undertake the rule of abstinence from intoxicants which cause a careless frame of mind
Don’t drink or do drugs
I undertake the rule of abstinence from taking food at the wrong time
Don’t eat when you shouldn’t
I undertake the rule of abstinence from dancing, music, visiting shows, flowers, make-up, the wearing of ornaments and decorations
Don’t engage in frivolous activities
I undertake the rule of abstinence from a tall, high sleeping place.
Sleep close to the ground
Different cultures all have similar baselines. Whether this stems from a singular culture, or developed independently, that’s a discussion for another time.
Hōjō Sōun's 21 Articles
Hōjō Sōun (1432-1519) was a Japanese daimyo who established a number of administrative and military improvements in his lands. His 21 Articles (paraphrased) meant for his subjects are:
Believe in the gods and say your prayers at dawn.
Wake early - set a good example for others, and carry out your duties well.
Sleep at a reasonable hour and don’t waste time late into the night.
Make sure the home is clean before you wash your face and hands in the morning.
Be honest and law-abiding. Respect your superiors and your subordinates. Accept your lot in life and be sincere in prayers.
Don’t flex - you’re fine as long as your weapons and armor look reasonable. If you become debt-ridden for luxury, then you’ll be mocked.
The first thing to do in the morning is fix your appearance so you don’t appear disheveled.
When you arrive at work, don’t immediately go into the boss’ office. Wait to see if you’re called in.
Answer your boss promptly and with the ceremony he is due. Perform your tasks quickly.
Don’t listen to gossip. In your boss’ presence, don’t talk about yourself or laugh too loud.
Rely on others as needed. You can’t do everything.
Always carry a book. You won’t forget things if you practice reading and writing.
Behave with humility and deference.
Always tell the truth, even in jokes. Don’t make half-truths and lies a habit.
You must know how to write Tanka poetry. And watch what you say, because words matter.
Tanka (“short song”) is a 31-syllable poem which can be written as a single unbroken sentence. It’s organized as 5 lines with a 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count. We get the Haiku from this first part (5-7-5).
Practice equestrian skills in your free time.
Spend time reading and writing instead of on frivolous activities like music. Remember also that your friends are a reflection of who you are. If you are with two people, then one is worth listening to, and the other is an example of what not to do.
When you return home from work, check to see if anything needs repairs.
Lock your doors at sunset.
Before sleeping, make sure everything is in order. If you have servants and find something out of order, do it yourself anyway, because you need to know what it’s like.
Constantly practice reading, writing, martial arts, archery, and horsemanship. “Literary skills belong to your left hand, and martial skills to your right.”
I’m not sure how many people abided by these articles, certainly fewer than Bushido, but Sōun's list was important enough to get multiple translations into English.
Bushido
Warrior classes are partly responsible for modern stereotypes about honor and duty. What’s written about their codes of conduct, especially Bushido and Chivalry, reverberates into the present day.
First, Bushido. It’s varied throughout the ages, so different sources hold different ideals. It’s interpreted differently according to time period, clan, region, etc. The evolution of Japanese Buddhism (and its competing schools) had an impact as well.
It began in Japan’s Medieval era, gaining popularity with the rise of the Samurai in the 12th century. Minamoto no Yoritomo established the first Shogunate (bakufu). In this Kamakura Period of Japanese history, the Samurai effectively became a ruling power. Peasants, craftsmen, and merchants comprised the bottom of society. Naturally, ruling powers develop codes of conduct for their nobility.
Written forms began taking shape in the 1600s. Samurai Saitō Chikamori wrote Kashōki in 1642, laying out aspects so commoners could better understand Bushido. He wrote the principles as:
Sincerity - do not lie, do not slander, do not be insincere, do not be superficial
Responsibility - do not be obsequious (obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree)
Frugality - do not be greedy
Politeness - do not be rude, do not slander
Modesty - do not be boastful, do not be arrogant
Loyalty - do not be unfaithful
Harmony - be on good terms with comrades
Tranquility - do not be overly concerned with events
Compassion - show concern for one another, be compassionate, with a strong sense of duty.
Also see: the Hagakure, by Tashiro Tsuramoto and Yamamoto Tsunetomo, compiled between 1709 and 1716.
Nitobe Inazō defined Bushido in 1899 as "the ways which fighting nobles should observe in their daily life as in their vocation.” It has either 7 or 8 virtues depending on where you read.
Rectitude (Righteousness)
Courage (Heroism)
Benevolence (Compassion)
Politeness (Respect)
Sincerity (Honesty)
Honor
Loyalty and Duty
Self-Control
Chivalry
In medieval Europe, Chivalry developed in the time of the Crusades, especially 1100-1300 AD. Like Bushido, it didn’t have a centralized form, and the code of conduct varied widely by source.
The earliest knights were little more than mercenaries. A combination of private security and hired thugs. This changed over time, and the Crusades gave them new opportunities plus backing from the Church. Knights weren’t especially well-regarded at first. Public opinion was positive of the Crusades, and people even criticized kings who wouldn’t go. King Edward II, for example, was widely disliked. Especially in comparison with Edward I and Edward III.
As knights acquired more power and prestige, they acquired land (either awarded for their deeds or purchased) which brought them into the upper classes. Notably in early Medieval times, Charlemagne's benefices.
Becoming a knight was expensive, mostly since they required several horses. The word “chivalry” actually comes from the Old French chevalerie, meaning “horseman” or “horse soldier.” (We now say cavalry in English.)
Weapons weren’t cheap either. There are historical records saying the most magnificent swords were worth more than a house. (Spears were thus more common throughout history, as were bludgeoning weapons. Plus, swords aren’t the most effective anti-armor weapon. One historian noted that a maul or mace could be used to cave in a breastplate and stop an opponent from breathing, or weaken joints.)
Technology also brought ever-more complex armor. Early warriors wore boiled leather for armor, if they could even afford that. Then chainmail, then the heavy plate armor we know best today. A poor man had no real shot at becoming a knight.
Noble positions solidified as knights married noblewomen, acquired more land, and learned more about royal court behavior.
By the late Middle Ages, we had our idea of chivalry: honor, nobility, morality, fighting ability, devotion to God, court manners, etc.
Codes of conduct weren’t universally formalized, since like Bushido, Chivalry varied by region. Shared values were likely similar to other codes of conduct throughout history, since we see that many ideas are universal across cultures.
The early 12th century Knights Templar Latin Rule (PDF translation here) has 72 rules over about 30 pages. This is unusually extensive, and was even expanded to over 600 rules in later years. It includes ideas like “strive to embody and exemplify the virtue of Wisdom” and “practice moderation as the foundation of discipline.”
A more popular read was A Knight's Own Book of Chivalry written in the 1350s by the knight Geoffroi de Charny (or his son—records are unclear). Several people attempted to lay out what chivalry meant to them.
Because of knights’ initial questionable reputations, religious leaders tried to steer chivalry toward something more formal. Less problematic or contradictory. They combined historical heroic values with concepts from the Bible.
This eventually led to versions such as historian Léon Gautier’s medieval Ten Commandments of Chivalry, compiled in 1891:
Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches and thou shalt observe all its directions.
Thou shalt defend the Church.
Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born.
Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
Thou shalt make war against the infidel without cessation and without mercy.
Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
Thou shalt never lie, and shalt remain faithful to thy pledged word.
Thou shalt be generous, and give largesse to everyone.
Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
By Gautier’s time, chivalry was long gone as a knightly institution. Bows and early firearms made the class obsolete on the battlefield. The rise of modern European warfare ended Chivalry outside of niche holdouts, re-revivals, courtly life, and transformation into aristocratic ideals.
The concept never went away, though. As people go through rough times, looking to the past can hold answers.
Final Notes
Humans have always sought to clarify and understand the “best” way of living. We’re not animals. Many aspire to be more, by disavowing low-brow acts and devoting themselves to a greater purpose. Some people have the potential to be Great Men instead of just Men.
What would your “rules” for living be?
Even pirates had codes of conduct. “[T]he first recorded set belonged to George Cusack who was active from 1668 to 1675. These early buccaneer articles were based on earlier maritime law and privateer codes such as the 12th century Roles of Oleron.”
It’s impossible to cover everything in a single article. I’ll close out with a small selection from George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior, which has 110 “rules.” Here’s what I believe to be the top 20:
Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.
Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.
Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean, yet without Showing any great Concern for them.
The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
Show not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another, even if he was your enemy.
Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.
In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physician if you be not Knowing therein.
In your Apparel be Modest and endeavor to accommodate Nature, rather than to procure Admiration, keep to the Fashion of your equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places.
Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.
Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature.
Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belong to Parents, Masters, and Superiors.
Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof.
Be not Curious to Know the Affairs of Others, neither approach those that Speak in Private.
Undertake not what you cannot Perform, but be Careful to keep your Promises.
Speak not Evil of the absent, for it is unjust.
Make no Show of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table, neither find fault with what you Eat.
Be not Angry at The Table, whatever happens; and if you have reason to be so, show it not, but keep on a Cheerful Countenance especially if there be Strangers; for Good Humor makes one Dish of Meat a Feast.
When you Speak of God or his Attributes, let it be Seriously and with Reverence. Honor and Obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor.
Let your Recreations be Manful not Sinful.
Labor to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.
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