Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct

This is the incomplete list of volumes that contain proverbs, sayings and parables that the Hammerites live by.

Vol. 2

When the thief did cry to the master
"release me, for I repent, and shall do good all my days"
then did the master strike the thief's hand from him with a blade. And the master said "Go now and do good, for thy repentance has been paid."

Vol. 7

When the Builder walks before thee and builds for thee a fortress, wilt thou go inside and shut the door?

Or wilt thou say "Yes, and now I shalt raise one of mine own!"

Vol. 12

The Builder gave thou the raw stuff of thy life - make thou a great work of it or thou mockest His gifts.

Vol. 36

Time once past, the harlot did say to the priest "Tarry a while, and wait upon thy duties" and the priest did tarry.

And then was the harlot scourged with birch branches, and was the priest crushed beneath the great gears, for the path of righteousness leads ever upwards, to where it is perilous to fall.

Vol. 39

Hadst I a hammer, wouldst I hammer in the morning. Wouldst I hammer in the evening, all over this land.

Vol. 53

To use thy chisel is to blunt its edge 'gainst the stone. To not use thy chisel is to waste its edge.

Vol. 77

What is a tree but a tower that withers and dies?

What is a pond but a cistern that stagnates and fills with muck?

What is a patch of ground but a road which cracks and washes away?

Vol. 94

Guard thy tongue from falsehood as thou gardest thy purse from a jackablade.

Guard thy hand from misdeed as thou gardest thy house from firelighters.

Guard thy heart from doubt as thou gardest thy tools from corrosion, for thy faith and thy tools are the best that thou hast.

Vol. 108

Mortar cannot hold when the stone is not strong and clean. Before beginning thy endeavors, look to thy material, both physical and spiritual.

Vol. 112

The chisel is but naught, save thou hast a hammer.

The hammer is but naught, save thou stretch forth thine arm.

The arm is but naught, save for thy will to serve the Builder.

If the Builder takes thy coin, dost thou renounce His work to beg on the street?

If the Builder crushes the walls that guard thee, dost thou flee to sleep in the rain?

If the Builder slays thine offspring, dost thou slay thyself?

Guard not that which thou hast made for thyself, more than the faith that burns in thy heart.

Vol. 113

A stroke of thy chisel, once made, canst not be undone, but a stroke thou dost not make from fear is a worse flaw.

Be not cautious - be correct.

Vol. 141

When the Builder came amongst his children and asked "Who is it that hath spoilt this work?" then didst his errant son answer "I do not know."

Then didst the Builder cast down his son and smite him with his hammer.

For is it not known that a mistake may be mastered, but a lie lasteth forever on the tongue?

Vol. 170

The proof of the wall is that it stretcheth above the height of a man, and lasteth beyond the span of a man.

Our greatest works exceed us in all ways.

Vol. 199

A flaw in the gear will fate it to shatter.

A flaw in the beam harbors the termite.

A flaw in a man's righteousness encompasses his death.