Punslinger/Four Razored Virtues Sutra

Sutra of the Four-Razored Virtues

Once, five brothers who were accounted virtuous men
Set forth on five paths and lived as they saw rightly

The first was a giant of a man who was without fear
He challenged everyone he encountered
And his strength was mighty, so he always prevailed
Until, finally, he did not
And there was no glory in his fall

The second was small and wise, full of patience
Whose counsel was valued above all others
And his counsel of temperance proved right
Until his enemies chose boldness
And there was no dignity in his ending

The third was great-hearted, a kind and gentle soul
He loved everyone he met on his path
And all loved him in return, save one
But he had not the will to defend himself
And he died alone in the dust

The fourth had a will of iron to achieve the impossible
He was ever firm in his convictions and his duties
Without mercy even for himself
Until finally, he killed himself for imagined disgrace
And so doing, abandoned duty and honor

The last man walked alone a path of razors
And so he was cut wherever he turned
Until he was a shunned ruin of a man

Who carried out his duty no matter the cost
Who bled himself dry in defense of the innocent
Who kept his mind a still pool through all hardships
Who never let fear stand in his way

And when his brothers’ shades came upon him
Broken-hearted, broken of body, wretched, and old
Then did they kneel as one
And call him Sifu