Regarding
the Codes
The Code of the Warrior is, in general, characterized by a rudimentary
chivalry, emphasizing loyalty to Pride Chiefs and the Home Stone. It was
harsh, but with a certain gallantry, a sense of honor that I could respect.
A man could do worse then live by such a code." Tarnsman of Gor, pg.41 |
"What is it, Bran Loort, that separates men from sleen and larls?"
asked Thurnus.
"I do not know," said Bran Loort.
"It is the codes," said Thurnus.
"The codes are meaningless noises, taught to boys," said Bran Loort.
"The codes are the wall," said Thurnus.
"I do not understand," said Bran Loort.
"It is the codes which separate men from sleen and larls," said Thurnus.
"They are the difference. They are the wall."
Slave Girl of Gor, pg 226-27 |
I sensed that the codes were to be invoked. What Bran Loort and his
fellows had done exceeded the normal rights of custom, the leniencies and
tacit permissions of a peasant community; commonly the codes are invisible;
they exist not to control human life, but to make it possible."
Slave Girl of Gor, pg 228 |
"But you may die," she said.
"That is acknowledged in the codes," I said.
"What are the codes?" she asked.
"They are nothing and everything," I said. "They are a bit of noise,
and the steel of the heart. They are meaningless, and all significant.
They are the difference. Without the codes men would be Kurii."
"Kurii?" she asked.
"Beasts, such as ice beasts, and worse," I said. "Beasts such as the
face you saw in the sky."
"You need not keep the codes," she said.
"I once betrayed my codes," I said. "It is not my intention to do so
again.' I looked at her. "One does not know, truly what it is to stand,
until one has fallen. Once one has fallen, then one knows, you see, what
it is to stand."
"None would know if you betrayed the codes," she said.
"I would know," I said, "and I am of the Warriors."
"What is it to be a warrior?" she asked.
"It is to keep the codes,' I said. "You may think that to be a warrior
is to be large, or strong, and to be skilled with weapons, to have a blade
at your hip, to know the grasp of the spear, to wear the scarlet, to know
the fitting of the iron helm upon one's countenance, but these are things
are not truly needful; they are not, truly what makes one man a warrior
and another not. Many men are strong, and large, and skilled with weapons.
Any man might, if he dared, don the scarlet and gird himself with
weapons. Any man might place upon his brow the helm of iron. But it is
not the scarlet, not the steel, not the helm which makes a warrior."
She looked at me.
"It is the codes," I said.
"Abandon your codes," she said.
"One does not speak to slaves of the codes," I said.
Beasts of Gor, pg 340 |
Living
by the Sword
In the codes of the warriors, there is a saying; "Be strong, and do
as you will. The swords of others will set you your limits."
Marauders of Gor, pg 10 |
'Within the circle of each man's sword', say the codes of the warrior,
'therein is each man a Ubar.'
'Steel is the coinage of the warrior,' say the codes, 'with it he purchases
what pleases him.'
Marauders of Gor, pg 10 |
Warriors, it is said in the codes, have a common Home Stone. Its name
is battle.
Renegades of Gor, pg 343 |
"I am of the Warriors," I said. "I will take by the sword what women
please me."
Beasts of Gor, pg 348 |
Maxims
and Affirmation
* THE GOREAN WARRIOR CODES *
* THE ONE AFFIRMATION OF THE GOREAN WARRIOR CODES *
* I am the terror of my enemies. *
* THE FIVE MAXIMS OF THE GOREAN WARRIOR CODES *
-First Maxim- |
When honor is due, let honor be done. |
-Second Maxim- |
Honor the Home Stone which is yours to honor. |
-Third Maxim- |
Know those who are free, and honor their freedom. |
-Fourth Maxim- |
Deeds, not words, shall you be measured by. |
-Fifth Maxim- |
No man is alone who is the friend of steel. |
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