I hereby present the code of ethics of the Northmen’s Guild.
Northmen Guild was founded in 2017. It is defined as follows [1] :
“We are a guild of northern master craftsmen who use our heritage of craftsmanship handed down through many generations to design and create woodworking tools, knives, weapons – bows and swords, leather goods and watches. Our process, our method and mission is to keep these traditions and crafts alive and well. In this high-tech age, our own traditional craftsmanship is flourishing.
We use our hands to create things that will live on, telling their story in the hands of the craftsmen and people after us. Each thing we create is born with energy and personality – a love and care that will be felt daily by each craftsman; a resonance from the heart of the creation.
… … … “
At first glance, this Northmen Guild’s Code of Ethics has nothing to do with the martial arts, yet it really resonates with me. To a certain extent, it reminds me of the values found in certain codes of martial virtue, such as Bushido or Wing Chun Jo Fen.
More than that, it’s a code for living. Simple and rich at the same time. It’s all there.
Northmen Guild’s Code of Ethics
Love what you do
Do what you love
Begin where you are
Use what you have
Do what you can
Honour the elders
Teach the young
Protect and love your family
Keep your craft and your skills strong
Learn from your own mistakes, not only from others
Look for the log in your own eye – not the splinter in your brothers
Be loyal to your friends
Voice your opinion
Stand your ground
Trust your brothers
Work hard, stay humble
Focus on the detail
Be brave
Be calm
Be patient
Wake up early
Temper your body
Live in nature
Walk in the woods
Climb the mountains
Find time to be alone
Hunt when you need food
Rest when you can
Work when you must
Always leave your mark
Take charge when others show weakness
Have more, spend less
More time, less convenience
Craft, not business
Value, not price
Quality, not quantity
To create, not to produce
Hands, not machines
Source
[1] northmen.com
