The Personal Moral Compass, Part 2: The 7
In part one of this series, we talked about the need for a personal moral compass. Without this important part of our own ethical decision-making process, we could not function as an organized society. If we did not have this framework, anarchy would reign supreme. What follows is the basis for our own personal moral code, one that we think all people can work within, regardless of their religion, culture, or creed. The 7 5 3 Code, in its current iteration as we use it, was developed by the Valente Brothers in Maimi, Florida. There are 7 Codes of Virtue, 5 Keys to Health, and 3 States of Mind. It is based on the Bushido Code taken from ancient Japanese cultures, but it’s tenets are no less necessary nor less important in our world today. For this blog’s purpose, we will focus on the 7 Virtues.
The basis of the 7 5 3 Code is the 7. These are the 7 Virtues. In a nutshell, they are:
- Rectitude
- Courage
- Benevolence
- Politeness
- Honesty
- Honor
- Loyalty
At its very beginning the Code starts off with Rectitude. We define this as doing what is right without regard for the consequences. In today’s society, we are often attacked, canceled, or outright ridiculed for doing the right thing. But in order to be true to ourselves, and to be the best role model that we can, doing what is right is imperative. If you do not start with integrity, the rest is simply lip service.
We follow that with Courage, the inner strength to resist opposition. Notice that it doesn’t say the absence of fear? As ol’ John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway”. Many soldiers, fireman, and police officers will tell you that they went through extremely tense and frightening situations that may have scared them to their very core, but they had to do so because they were the one only ones available at the time to do what was necessary.
Benevolence is the disposition to be good. This is a conscious choice that we have to make, not just daily, but several times a day. The temptation to give in to wrong desires, the “easy road” to riches, or to slip in our personal vows to another is an easy one, but it takes an effort to resist it.
Politeness is showing proper courtesy and respect to others. “Treat everyone like a gentleman, not because they are, but because you are.” (Ed Sabol) The old saying about getting better results with honey than with vinegar is one that often holds true. Treating others with politeness only costs you pennies, but the return is measured in hundred-dollar bills!
Honesty starts with genuine integrity and character in your actions. As was stated in part 1, it does you no good to be a black belt in martial arts, and a white belt in life. A lack of basic honesty, not just with others, but within yourself only lays a foundation of sand. And as the parable goes, when the storms come, that house gets washed away.
Honor. This is one we hear of in the martial arts world from day one. Yet we often see a lack of the ethical conduct that this simple word portrays within that community. Bad seeds are in every profession, strive to ensure that you are not one of them!
Loyalty is the faithfulness and allegiance that we maintain between each other. While we may move on from a situation, work moves us to another location, or family issues cause us to train at another location, we can still be loyal to those we hold our fellowship with. And loyalty is a two-way street! It must flow both ways for it to work.
Knowing these 7 Virtues is a good start. However, like many things in this life, they are useless without application. If you hold yourself accountable to a higher standard, you will often find that those with whom you spend the most time will do the same. Study these 7 Virtues, apply them to the situations within your life, and you will experience a better lifestyle! Next time we will explore the 5 Keys to Health!