“Chivalry is a flower no less indigenous to the soil of Japan than its emblem, the cherry blossom; nor is it a dried up specimen of an antique virtue preserved in the herbarium of our history. It is still a living object of power and beauty among us; and if it assumes no tangible shape or form, it is not the less scents the moral atmosphere, and makes us aware that we are still under it’s potent spell. The conditions of society which brought it forth and nourished it have long disappeared; but as those far off stars which once were and are not, still continue to shine there rays upon us, so the light of chivalry, which was a child of feudalism, still illuminates our moral path, surviving its mother institution.” - Inazo Nitobe, Bushido: The Soul of Japan

“The Way of the Warrior is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim. We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. This is a thin dangerous line. To die without gaining one's aim is a dog's death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this. This is the substance of the Way of the Warrior. If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.” - Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure


“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Can chivalry and virtue make a comeback in today’s world or is it truly dead? I for one think virtue ethics is the most applicable form of ethics but the Kantian model is also rational. Would a revival of Bushido and Stoicism teach the youth of today how to keep a stiff upper lip?