Although there was no officially written code of chivalry, there were knightly virtues.

• Courage. More than bravado or bluster, a knight must have the courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved.
• Justice. A knight holds him- or herself to the highest standard of behavior, and knows that “fudging” on the little rules weakens the fabric of society for everyone.
• Mercy. Words and attitudes can be painful weapons, which is why a knight exercises mercy in his or her dealings with others, creating a sense of peace and community, rather than engendering hostility and antagonism.
• Generosity. Sharing what’s valuable in life means not just giving away material goods, but also time, attention, wisdom and energy – the things that create a strong, rich and diverse community.
• Faith. In the code of chivalry, “faith” means trust and integrity, and a knight is always faithful to his or her promises, no matter how big or small they may be.
• Nobility. Although this word is sometimes confused with “entitlement” or “snobbishness,” in the code of chivalry it conveys the importance of upholding one’s convictions at all times, especially when no one else is watching.
• Hope. More than just a safety net in times of tragedy, hope is present every day in a knight’s positive outlook and cheerful demeanor – the “shining armor” that shields him or her, and inspires people all around.

My Modern Virtues

• Empathy. To truly be able to help others, one must be able to put their mind in the perspective of other people. They must understand what that person is going through and see where they are coming from.
• Compassion. It is necessary to have feelings for other people to be able to help them. A helping hand without emotion is dishonest and counterfeit.
• Creativity. The world is often an unfriendly and dreary place, which is a product of the some of the people living in it. To stay creative is to stay inspired and motivated.
• Courage. It allows one to take one the things that most people would ever want to do. It allows one to step up and become a leader, and show their true colors as a individual.
• Individuality. Part of staying sane in the modern world is not conforming with what everyone else is. It is staying true to yourself and maintaining who you are, despite what other people expect of you.
• Honesty. It truly is the best policy. People will be more likely to trust someone if they are honest and genuine. Those who lie and are dishonest will just face the consequences they are trying to avoid.
• Positivity. Negative attitudes will not get you anywhere. Constant negativity and complaining will only bring you further down, and drag those around you down with you.