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PREFACE
Supposing that we were
adopting a standard of moral principles suitable
for the present age, what should be the ideal of
conduct by which to fashion our lives? This is a
question that is extremely puzzling to the minds
of young students, and one of which they will
frequently question their elders. Our beloved
teacher, Mr. Fukuzawa, being desirous to
formulate an answer to these questions, requested
us to draw up in writing a plan of moral conduct.
We therefore drew up the following general sketch
of a scheme for the conduct of life, taking as
our basis the lesson of our teacher's own life as
illustrated by his words and deeds; and, having
completed our task, submitted it to him for his
approval and sanction. We have given our sketch
the name of Fukuzawa's Moral Code, and, as
contained in the following pages, we commend it
to the attention of students.
The Compiler
11 February 1890
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It is a point about which
there is a perfect unanimity of opinion
throughout the realm, that it is incumbent upon
every native-born subject of the Japanese Empire,
without regard to age or sex, to pay homage to
the Imperial House that has reigned throughout
the ages and to show gratitude for it gracious
favour that has occurred to us from its many
virtues.
But when we ask the question
how, in these days, and in what manner, the men
and women of to-day should order their conduct in
society, we find that as a rule such conduct is
regulated by various systems of moral teachings
which have been handed down from past ages. It is
fitting, however, that moral teachings should be
modified from time to time to keep pace with the
progress of civilization, and it is but natural
that a highly advanced and ever advancing
society, such as we find in the world to-day
should be provided with a system of morals better
suited to its needs than the antiquated teachings
already mentioned. It is for this reason, we
venture to think, that it has become necessary to
state anew the principles of morals and rules of
conduct, individual as well as social.
1. It is the universal duty
of Man to raise his personal dignity and to
develop his moral and intellectual faculties to
their utmost capacity, never to be contented with
the degree of development already attained, but
ever to press forward to higher attainments. We
urge it, therefore, as a duty upon all those who
hold the same convictions as ourselves to
endeavour in all things to discharge their full
duty as men, laying to heart the principles of
Independence and Self-respect, as the leading
tenets of moral life.
2. Whosoever perfectly
realizes the principle of Independence, both of
Mind and Body, and, paying due respect to his own
person, preserves his dignity unblemished, \him
we call a man of independence and self-respect.
3. The true source of
independence of life is to eat one's bread in the
sweat of one's brow. A man of independence and
self-respect should be a self-helping and
self-supporting man.
4. Strength of body and
soundness of health are requisites of life, We
should, therefore, always take care to keep mind
and body active and well, and to refrain from any
action or course of life likely to prove
injurious to our health.
5. It is man's duty to live
out the whole of his allotted span of life. To
take one's own life, for whatever reasons, or
under whatever circumstances, is an unreasonable
and cowardly act, altogether abominable and
entirely unworthy of the Principle of
Independence and Self-respect.
6. To realize the Principle
of Independence and Self-respect demands nothing
short of an audacious, active, and dauntless
spirit. It requires a combination in a man's
character of courage with fortitude.
7. A man of Independence and
Self-respect should not be dependent upon others
for the determination of his own conduct. He
should be intelligent enough to think and judge
for himself.
8. To treat women as though
they were inferior to men is a barbarous custom.
Men and women belonging to a civilized society
should love and respect one another as equals,
each sex realizing its own independence and
self-respect.
9. Inasmuch as marriage is
one of the most serious' events in human life,
great caution should be observed in the choice of
a partner for life. All human relations have
their origin in marriage, in the loving and
respectful cohabitation, till death comes to
separate them, of husband and wife, neither of
whom should interfere with the Independence and
Self-respect of other.
10. Such husbands and wives
maintain towards their offspring a relation which
is both full of hope and natural, since there are
no extraneous elements introduced into the family
and since parents and children are wholly and
exclusively each the other's own. The love that
binds them together is sincere and pure, and the
keeping of this love unimpaired is the foundation
of domestic happiness.
11. Children, also, should
be trained to become persons of Independence and
Self-respect, it being the duty of parents to
take charge of the proper bringing-up of their
children so long as they remain in infancy.
Children, for their parts, should yield due
obedience to their parents, and make every effort
to fit themselves to be-come persons of
Independence and Self-respect when the tin1e
comes for them to step out into the world.
12. The ideal person of
Independence and Self-respect deems it incumbent
on himself to go on learning even to his old age,
and never to allow either the development of the
intellect or the cultivation of the moral
character to slacken or cease.
13. Society having both
individuals and families as its units, it should
be borne in mind that the foundation of a healthy
society is to be found in the Independence and
Self-respect of the family as well as of the
individual.
14. The only way in which
social life can continue is for each Individual
to keep unimpaired his or her own Independence
and Self-respect as well as that of others. This
may be done by respecting the rights and
happiness of .others at the same time that we
seek our own happiness and protect our" own
rights.
15. To harbour resentment
and to seek revenge is another barbarous and
cruel practice, a relic of the Dark Ages. We
should employ only just and upright means for
clearing ourselves from shame or vindicating our
honour.
16. Every man should be
faithful in the discharge of the duties of his
vocation. He, who, regardless of the importance
of trusts committed to hin1, neglects his
responsibilities, is unworthy to be called a man
of Independence and Self-respect.
17. Treat others with
trustfulness. If you trust others, they will
trust you in return. It is this mutual confidence
alone that can enable Independence and
Self-respect to be realized in ourselves or in
others.
18. Courtesy and etiquette
are necessary to the continuance of social life.
They should be observed strictly, and yet with
moderation.
19. It is an act of
humanity, and one of the highest of human
virtues, to strive to extend to others that love
which we feel for ourselves, to lighten the
burdens, and promote the happiness, of our
fellow-men.
20. Humanity should not be
limited towards human beings only. It should
prevent men from treating animals with cruelty,
and make them refrain from needlessly taking the
lives of fellow-creatures.
21. Since a taste for art
and literature elevates the character as well as
de-lighting the mind, and since it contributes
indirectly to the peace and happiness of mankind,
its acquirement should be deemed an object of the
greatest importance for human life.
22. Wherever there is a
country, there is a government. It is the duty of
the Government to administer the country, to
establish and maintain military power, to protect
the people of the land, and to guarantee to the
individual citizen the in-violability of life,
property, honour, and liberty. In return for
these benefits, it is the duty of the citizens to
give military service and to contribute to the
expenses of the nation.
23. If citizens are under
obligation to serve in the national army and to
pay their share of the national expenses, it is
also, naturally, their duty and privilege to have
a voice in the legislation and a right to control
the governmental expenditure.
24. Citizens of Japan, of
either sex, should never forget their supreme
duty to maintain their national Independence and
Self-respect, against a11 foes, and at the
sacrifice of even life and property.
25. It is the duty of every
citizen, not only to obey the laws himself, but
to see that others obey them likewise, for this
is necessary for the maintenance of the peace and
order of Society.
26. The number of nations in
the world is by no means small, and they differ
from us in religion, language, colour, and
customs. Yet they are our brother. In our
intercourse with them there should be no
partiality, and no attempt at swaggering or
boastfulness. Such conduct on1y leads us to
despise other people, and is wholly at variance
with the principle of Independence and
Self-respect.
27. It is the duty of the
men living to-day to improve the civilization and
happiness which they have received from their
forefathers and so to hand them on unimpaired to
their posterity.
28. It is natural that men
should be born into the world with varying
degrees of intellectual and physical strength. It
is the Province of Education to increase the
number of the wise and strong, and to diminish
that of the weak and foolish. In short, Education
instructs men in the Principle of Independence
and Self-respect, and enables them to form plans
for putting the principle into practice.
29. Those who share our
convictions, whether men or women, will do well
to lay these teachings to heart. They should also
strive to spread them throughout Society at
large, and thus to advance, hand in hand with the
whole people, towards the state of greatest
happiness.
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