The Way of Jade Manhood

In about the year 550AD, a man named Yuan JingHao was executed by a jealous and frightened emperor. JingHao's family, the Yuan, had been threatened by the emperor; and the family elders wanted to change their name to the emperor's, in order to mollify him. But JingHao said, "Why should we change our ancient name? It is better to die a broken jade, than to live as a whole clay tile." The emperor heard this, and arrested, then executed the brave man. However, Yuan JingHao's name has come down through history as a man who stood for principle above his own life.

To this day, Chinese people learn the story and the saying of Yuan JingHao. The saying also appears in a Bruce Lee film, The Game of Death. In a place of danger, one of Mr. Lee's body doubles says, "It is better to die a broken jade, than to live a life of clay."

"Broken Jade" is the battle cry of noble men, from the Roman "Mors ante Infamiam" ("Death before Dishonor") to the Zapatista's "It is better to die on your feet, than to live on your knees." In the United States of America, the Revolutionary patriot Patrick Henry uttered the stirring words, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" The state motto of New Hamshire is "Liberty or Death".

Then on Lexington Green, on April 19, 1775, an unknown man "fired the shot heard 'round the world." These words appear in Ralph Waldo Emerson's Concord Hymn, composed in 1836. Emerson wrote the Hymn for the dedication of the Obelisk, a memorial to the Revolutionary Minutemen. The entire Hymn appears below. Please remember those men who gave themselves for the liberty we enjoy.

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.