by Thomas Kling

Created on: August 18, 2009   Last Updated: August 20, 2009

While the romantic notion of a Knight in shining armor may be hard to find examples of these days, the practice of chivalry is far from dead.

Chivalry has its roots in medieval times, when knights followed a certain code. They held themselves to a standard of virtues such as strength, bravery, and justice as well as more noble ones such as compassion, generosity, and humility.

Besides virtue, knights were expected to practice, study and become adept in not only elements of their profession such as horse-riding, armor, and the use of a variety of weapons, but well-versed in art, poetry, and academics. They were supposed to be honest and trustworthy. The lived their lives in the service of others who could not defend themselves. This way of living borrowed from the ancient Romans (and later, the Arabs,) put these knights in a higher class of people who were charged with protecting the citizenry, keeping the peace, and being models for decent society.

Looking around today, there are many examples of this chivalrous behavior. Many men and women in our military, as well as those who serve communities as police, firefighters, and emergency workers not only take an oath to the virtue of their professions, but live their lives as models of courage, mercy, and caring. They often put the safety of others above their own. They also continue to study to stay current in their field and advance to higher positions.

Doctors and nurses, teachers, and social workers are others that work extremely hard in the service of others, all the while showing positive virtues, letting society know that everything is going to be all right.

There are also many athletes in our country who push themselves to always be their best on and off the field. From the incredible competitors in the Olympic Games to those professional athletes who show class on and off the field, there is still a glimmer of that ancient code of the medieval knights.

Sure, there are many out there who do not live their life by any code, but chivalrous behavior can still be found in any profession, in people of any age group. Decency and concern for others are NOT antiquated, old-fashioned practices, but alive and well today in people of every race in every city and town.

But a word of caution: If you're waiting around for some handsome stranger to drape his coat across a muddy puddle for you, you just might miss them.

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