"Something Of Value"

[sm]

THR members, we know why the THR was established:

"Welcome to The High Road, an online discussion board dedicated to the discussion and advancement of responsible firearms ownership. It is the declared mission of this board to achieve and provide the highest quality of firearms discussion on the Internet, a standard set by the discussion board The Firing Line from 1998-2002. --Rules of Conduct.

Its no secret I'm a huge fan of the late Robert Ruark. I'm going to have to buy another copy of his Use Enough Gun , my copy was destroyed by a person whom wanted to know why I persist in using the teachings of the past to educate in the present, and to preserve for the future. I strongly believe in this principle.

I have met many of you. I have visted and continue to communicate with many of you via PM, email or telephone. I this week alone have spoken with Preacherman, and Mr. Art Eatman.

I'm described as being old fashioned, hard-headed, tenacious, persistent, and hell bent on my principles and convictions when it comes to the Constitution, Firearms , and the Second Amendment.

I'd rather have the training, knowledge and application of these three things, among others, than to take the money and buy a new firearm. I have sacrificed firearms, in order to obtain training and to support RKBA.

What is YOUR "Something of Value" ?

If a man does away with his traditional way of living and throws away his good customs, he had better first make certain that he has something of value to replace them. - Basuto Proverb

Preceding the Forward to Something of Value - Robert Ruark [1955]

 

[Preacherman]

Hmmm... interesting question. I think that even before considering the Constitution, firearms, and the Second Amendment, there's something I value and look for in others (and, yes, in myself). That thing is integrity. I look for people who have a solid foundation in life of values, principles and moral standards. These don't necessarily have to correspond with my own: I've found that folks who are well-grounded in something sensible are usually well worth knowing, and have a lot to contribute (and I hope I can contribute something to them in my turn). I've known Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, pagans and atheists who fit this description, and I'm blessed for having known them.

Given integrity of person, the Constitution et. al. make sense, and are useful and applicable. In the absence of integrity, they are nothing more than words, usually applied falsely...

That's my take on this, anyway. YMMV.

 

[P95Carry]

With you 100% Preacherman .... and I would add to integrity ..... also honesty and respect, both for self and others... oh yes .... and honor.

These are I think all but mutually exclusive and I value them enormously. From these come perhaps the greatest tenets for living.... and there are inextricable links between these strengths ... and the fight to retain freedom.

Regretably. ... we seem to see all too often, things concerning RKBA for exam[ple, where those making judgements and decisions seem to be lacking in that division. They do not respect the Constitution and the people they are meant to serve ....... they are often dishonest and ultimately seem often to be lacking integrity. A sad reflection at times on power. There seems little honor.

''Do unto others'' is a fair maxim to live by and that means by default for me .. following these tenets .... if I shake a hand on a deal ... it is binding ... sadly this is going out of fashion!

Trust I value too .... and when earned it should never be sullied or taken for something trivial. I give it often slowly and sometimes reluctantly .. but woe betide the man who betrays my trust .. I expect no different toward myself.

Not necessarily an answer you were seeking re1973 but ..... these, plurals (sorry I strayed from the singular)... are things I value above most all. else .. they are the foundation.

 

[JDSlack]

My honor and my duty. As R.E. Lee said..."Duty is the most sublime word in the english language, you can never do more and you should never do less."

 

[sm]

All of you are on track, and are answering my question.

My responsibility is to myself. No- not to be be selfish per se' but selfish in the context of having Integrity, Honesty, Respect, Duty and Honor -If I don't have these attributes, how can I expect to receive them from others, or pass them along to others.

The Old Man and The Boy by Ruark, Grandpa teaches these lessons, these lessons are also in Ruark's other works.

If we examine this, or think back to these works and those of other writers we see individuals whom have these qualities, that support, educate and fight to preserve these ideals and principles.

Then examine those whom poach, seek to mis-intrerpret the Constitution, take away firearms.

We are on the same page guys, I believe there is a correlation.

It's not a matter of if you own a bunch of guns, donate bunches of money and time ,but what is deep down inside a person. Great if one can buy lots and donate large sums.

I do think it is very important to train...and not just firearm skills.

So is it " he whom has the most toys wins" or is there "something of value" for anyone else?

 

[Sindawe]

My something(s) of value

The core values, The Nine Noble Virtues

COURAGE
By facing Iife's struggles with courage, we constantly extend our capabilities. Without courage, nothing else can be done!

TRUTH
Blind faith has no place in Asatru. No pie-in-the-sky; we must act in this world as we see it and as it really is rather than calmly wait for the next

HONOR
We must be true to what we are, and we insist on acting with nobility rather than baseness. Our standards must be banners held high in our hearts.

FIDELITY
We stand true to our faith and our values. Loyalty is the basis for all enduring human activity, and we hold it in the highest esteem.

HOSPITALITY
The isolation and loneliness of modern life is not necessary. The willingness to share what one has with ones' fellows, especially travelers, is a vital part of our way of life.

DISCIPLINE
We hold to the discipline necessary to fulfill our purpose. We stand willing to exercise the self-control and steadfastness necessary in these difficult times.

INDUSTRIOUSNESS
Let us dare to be all that we can be! Let us take risks and taste the richness of life. Passivity is for sheep. We refuse to be mere spectators in life.

SELF-RELIANCE
We depend on our own strength and character to achieve our goals. We seek only the freedom necessary to our quest, whatever it may be.

PERSEVERANCE
We hold to our path until its completion and are not ashamed to be strong. The cult of the anti-hero will find no support in us, and the gods we follow are not for the weak.


Other expressions of value to me:

Faith and reason are like the shoes on your feet. You'll go further with both than you will with just one.

Not all dreams are fulfilled, the grace of age is that we learn to accept.

I'm smart enough to know how ignorant I am, and that the universe does not obey my preconceptions.

 

[hops]

Concur with Preacherman.

I still believe in the 'hand shake deal' and that a man's or a woman's word is their bond.

"Always remember to treat others as you wish to be treated." are words I always try to live by, which were the last words my grandfather in Germany passed on to me, 20 years ago. He spent his time in WW2 guarding English prisoners of war at some Luft Stalag near Berlin. His English pow's spoke well of him upon their release and his internment.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've always wanted to be able to like and to repect the guy looking back at me when I shave. I've always wanted to be able to go back to where I've been before, without worrying about anybody wanting to throw rocks at me. I've always believed it's better to be respected than liked.

You can't get into those conditions without living by the various concepts expressed so far in this thread...

, Art

 

[Mike Irwin]

I have nothing to offer...

but powder, lead, primers and brass...

 

[PATH]

I always thought the Scouts had it down pat.

Trustworthy
Loyal
Helpful
Friendly
Courteous
Kind
Obedient
Cheerful
Thrifty
Brave
Clean
and Reverent

On my honor I will do my best to do my duty
to God and my Country
and to obey the Scout Law
To help other people at all times
To keep myself phsically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

I think that is how it goes. It has been so many years...
I remember the lessons and I'd like to think that I have put them into practice in life.

I hold those words in my heart still. That is what I value.

 

[CGofMP]

Two part answer -

From within myself:
Above all else I value my own personal rectitude and honesty.
I prize the simplicity of giving and receiving reality above all else.


From a slightly different perspective:

From outside of myself:
The truth is embodied and defined by a story we all have heard and know but that few truly believe.



Charles

 

[Hal]

LOL!

Well,,lesee,,in 51 years I've managed to Fold, Spindle and/or Mutilate darn near everything that came my way....

I like to think,,in a twisted way,,,that I'd be the guy Will Rogers would append his famous saying with an "until now", if I'd ever have met him...

I was talking to my boss's wife just the other day, and she mentioned I looked "deep in thought". I laughed a bit and told her that on a planet of mind reading beings, I'd be the most boring one there since I pretty much let it all hang out,,,,not much stays hidden underneath so not much to try to read going on in my mind,,,,never have been a diplomat....

in short,,,,,i'm pretty darn near human....

Value = the ones that go to the wall for me in spite of what I am.....

 

[tommytrauma]

What is YOUR "Something of Value" ?

My belief in who I am, and my belief in what I do. I made mistakes before I learned the importance of those two things.

"Here I stand. I can do no other."

 

[inferno45]

Wow, I joined THR today and this was one of the first threads I found... 8 years old on here, and still of great comfort to a new member that he has found some like-minded and well-grounded people to share ideas with.

SM- I'm sorry to say I'm young enough that the first time I read "Something of Value" was after it was given to me in about 2000... But take comfort in the fact that not all of the newer generations have lost sight of what is most valuable in ourselves, as well as our world.
Thank you

 

[wgp]

I thought I was the only person with that quote from the book Something Of Value. I have that quote up in my office and think it is the best and most succinct statement of conservative values I have ever found. Happy to see someone else thinks so as well.

I used to teach the Ethics section of our state's Hunter Ed classes and tried to convey to the students that if they could, at the end of the day, honestly relate everything they had done that day to a person they respected, they were doing pretty well at life. I still like that philosophy.

My children have told me (in a friendly way) that I am 3 "ins": intolerant, insensitive and inflexible. I relayed that to a long-time friend who agreed but added that it did not mean I was wrong. Must not be all bad -- those same 3kids raised on that have grown into good, contributing people.

I guess I think I am not impressed with change for no good reason, have no problem calling BS for what it is and really dislike illogical things, particularly coming out of government. I like good things that have a history of working well.

 

[USAF_Vet]

My responsibility is to myself. No- not to be be selfish per se' but selfish in the context of having Integrity, Honesty, Respect, Duty and Honor -If I don't have these attributes, how can I expect to receive them from others, or pass them along to others.

If you don't have it, you can't pass it along. Integrity is the first of the Air Force core values, and I'm proud to say I have it. Throughout my career, I was asked to give the definition of integrity. The canned answer most people give is "Do the right thing when no one is looking." That is correct, but there is more to it thatn that: "and do the right thing when those around you are telling you to do the wrong thing."

Doing the right thing when no one is looking is easy. But going against the status quo, defying peer pressure, knowing you're not going to win any popularity contests is where true integrity lies; being true to oneself versus going with the crowd.

As a parent and husband, my responsibility is not only to myself. I no longer have the luxury of being selfish. My integrity is not meant for selfish means. If I don't share it, by example, then ultimately it is useless. You can only pass it along by example. It can't be forced upon someone. Making the honorable choice is a personal choice.

My integrity and honor are things I value, and I value them enough to try and instill them in my kids. I can only lead, it's up to them to follow the example set.

We're all human, and therefore fallible. I expect my kids to make mistakes. All that I ask is that afterwards, they reflect upon them and put forth measures to prevent making that mistake again. Mistakes are not bad, they are a learning process.