Live up to the noble traditions.pdf

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Part of Code of ethics submitted to the president of the Philippines

extracted text: heritance which he i·eceived f1·om his parents into vast property holdings. He never boasted of his riches and with exemplary modesty' he presented himself with the same eimplicity and poverty to which he was accustomed before he became rich. · In common with Rizal, Mahini, Arellano, and Librada Avelino, we should lead .a life of modesty and moderation; and like Julian Mercado, Mariano Pamintuan and Juan Sison, a life of frugality and simplicity. x. < LIVE UP TO. THE NOBLE TRADITIONS OF OUR PEOPLE. VENERATE T~E MEMORY OF OUR HEROES. THEIR LIVES POINT THE WAY TO DUTY AND HONOR. · A nation will not long endure if it is wrought in the midst of foreign and , exotic · ideals. Just as a tree will not grow up straight, 'strong and luxuriant, unless it is native to the soil and air so a nation will not assume girth and strength unless its roots are planted deep into its own past and its soul is nourished by its own tradition's. This does not mean that we should reject everything that is · not Filipino but it does mean that we' should discard that false concept that everything foreign must be good and, therefore, must be imitated. We must u'Se discrimination and prudence in adopting foreipi models. If we have to follow foreign ' patterns, we should blend them with our own customs, traditions and ideals, purifying them first of .whatever grossness or imperfection they may be afflicted with. Paraphrasing the language of President Lopez of the Federated Government of the Bisayas, asserting the authority of the Central Government of Malolos in defiance of the forces of Ame1~ican occupation on January .'9. 1899: Filipino nationality is founded on the sacred bonds . of blood, customs, ideals and common sacrifice·s. _ The possession of a common imperishable tradition is' the most poten,t of all factors in nation-moulding. The essence of nationality is sentiment. It is pride and glory in a common inheritance \Vhich strengthens the bonds of union. Our national heroe'S embody the character and ideals of our country. Their memory should thrill us with the spirit of emulation. The recollection of their glorious deeds should ser ve to rekindle. in our hear ts the love for freedom. The veneration of our heroes implies our recognition that in playing their part, they did with courage and wisdom what their patriotic duty dictated them to do; it means also that in playing our part we assume the obligation to do in the light of present condition's what our heroes would do if they were alive. Each epoch has its own i·esponsibilities. It behooves us now to discharge ours, with the same honor and dignity with which our ~eaders of the past discharged theirs. With virility and courage and with unswerving resolve, we must safeguard our magnificent national heritage, for our future li~s not in slavish imitations of ·foreign ideals but in our native qualities, and in the "composite voices of our great heroes that once trod our soil."• XI. BE INDUSTRIOUS. BE NOT AFRAID OR ASHAMED TO DO MANUAL LABOR. PRODUCTIVE TOIL IS CONDUCIVE TO ECONOMIC SECURITY AND ADDS TO THE WEALTH OF THE NATION. L:fe is work. . Man perfects himself by, working. Man reinforces himself by industry. Great ends· necessarily demand great labor. There is virtue in the spade and in the hoe. There is a'S much nobility in plowing the field as in writing on philosophy. . Labor leads the m'ind of men to serious things; it sharpens the mind of men by study; it inspires manly vigor by exercise and discipline; and, it leads to the intense cultivation of land, so essential to the life of an agricultural nation. By labor, by work, by industry, jungles are cleared, barren lands are made to yield, fair fields arise, and stately cities born. Emilio Jacinto said: ... Many are ashamed to work, principally the wealthy, the powerful, and the learned who make a vain show of that which they style the comforts of life or corporal well-being. "And they finish in the mire, leading a miserable and abject life that tends to bring about the destruction of the human race. PAGE 16 • T '1TI" THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW SUPPLEMENT
Date: 1940
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