Note from the Author: This is the third of this series of poems. Next week, we’ll return to regular posts.

Here we discuss the Third of the Beams.

There are three highest orders for man,
Three provisions of the Moral Law
By which seekers of caste must abide.

The third of these orders is called thewe,
For cultivation of character
Will lead to a bountiful harvest.

Thewe is a calling to a future
Led not by self-servient actors,
But the most noble, humble leaders.

Character is the priest who ushers
In an era of matrimony
Holiest between knowledge and truth.

It is they who are recalled fondly
That strive for the betterment of all,
Not just they who occupy the throne.

A true leader is well-acquainted
With the idea of sacrifice:
The good of all comes first and foremost.

For it is the Thieves who put foremost
The self in their greed and avarice.
They lead for naught but themselves alone.

Oblivion to the narcissists!
Those who focus only inwardly
Will become blind to the greater things.

In this age when character is scarce,
One can take solace in the known fact
That trying times breed the capable.

What is the definition of thewe?

Good character is a resource scarce,
An oasis deep in the desert,
Desolation stretching forever.

Good character is a breeze in air,
Refreshing to the weary senses
Of a traveller lost in the sands.

Good character is a cool, clean drink,
Washing away all of the worries
Of the bygone desperate voyager.

Upright character is elusive,
Hiding in the darkest shadows cast
By those who fall prostrate to themselves.

Upright character is reclusive,
Avoiding those who forego the time
And patience needed to earn its trust.

Upright character is confounding,
But for those who seek it with patience,
Understanding will come naturally.

Moral character is laudable,
A lofty goal, yes, but still in reach
For all those who truly strive for it.

Moral character is praiseworthy,
So take the path of humility,
And you will be recognized by Time.

Moral character is fulfilling,
For those who devote themselves to all
Will be remembered fondly by all.

We must all strive to act ethically.

In your life that passes day to day,
You must be an advocate for all
Whose rights you are able to defend.

For the Thieving Ones will never halt
Their onslaught against the righteous ones.
They will never bow to compromise.

So, seek not to please, but advocate.
Stand up for all those who need it most.
Be the driving change this world needs.

And in the face of adversity,
For adversity will come to you,
Repudiate with honor and class.

Take each moment to reflect and learn,
For good can be found in everything,
Even when dealing with bad actors.

Stoop not to their level or methods,
But be dignified and distinguished
By your upright conduct in response.

And in leadership, push for the best.
Settle not for mediocrity,
For complacency strangles the mind.

You will encounter pushback from those
Who are satisfied with little more
Than the bare minimum of effort.

But this is not how progress is made.
The horizon must ever fall back
As the human spirit drives forward.

How will you be remembered by Time?