The Proper Way to Die

The martial path confounds and frightens many because it appears to glorify death and destruction.  This is a misunderstanding of the teachings of conflict.  Life itself is merely particles in chaotic perturbation.  As mentioned previously, one can resolve calamitously or easily when they pass.  It follows that in the broadest sense, the proper way to live and die is with an eye toward life's end.  Regardless of what follows that death, all can agree that one's reputation and offspring outlast physical life, and that these priorities, being more long lasting than life itself, should at least partially dictate one's choices in how to live and allocate time and resources.  Therefore, the martial way is one in which simple resolutions of deceptive profundity resolve contradictions until none remain.  Life, being the most basic contradiction, is the last one to resolve, but it need not be the most complicated or chaotic.  One can also simply fade and pass like a calm breeze that wanes and dissipates, or a rippled pond again settling into stillness and clarity.  To the detractors of this view, your objection is irrelevant.  You too will eventually find ultimate peace.  There is no other possibility for you or your loved ones.  Death is a bastard that wants to kill you and it will eventually succeed.  So you'll only cheat the reaper if you can create something here that will keep him busy past your defeat.

To ensure you are outlasted, you must breed and protect your family til the bitter end.  To secure a good reputation, you must act honorably, choose honorable courses of action, and be seen as honorable to those who find your effects.  You should encourage the best in those who remain.  To discourage, demoralize, or wound the pride of your family after your passing is worse than death, as it doubly wounds your survivors.  Therefore, with the time you have left, resolve to die properly and choose your paths toward that end.  Because your outcome will be the same, the only reason to die well must be the well being of your family and friends.  They must assume critical importance as you begin to decline and use your last days to their fullest.  Like all battles, death can only command fear until it is done.  Then, those who remain collect what survives and learn from the example of the deceased.  Strive to be a fine example, so that your memories inspire peace and wisdom.  And if you've lived a life of chaos, it is never too early to begin the inevitable and calm down.  You have the rest of your life to figure it out.