Bushido - Samurai chivalric ethos

Bushido - Way of the Samurai (as summarised on Last Samurai special features)
Honesty and Justice - Gi
Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people. Believe injustice, not from other people, but from yourself. To the true samurai,there are no shades of grey in the question of honesty and justice.There is only right and wrong.
(Blayney Note: This is situational, right for one moment may not be right for another. The wisdom and self-confidence to identify and accept this is crucial.)
Polite Courtesy - Rei
Samurai have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. A samurai is courteous even to his enemies. Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than animals. A samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by his dealing with other men.The true strength of a samurai becomes apparent during difficult times. Heroic Courage - Yu
Rise up above the masses of people who are afraid to act. Hiding like a turtle in a shell is not living at all. A samurai must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky. It is dangerous. It is living life completely, fully, wonderfully. Heroic courage is not blind. It is intelligent and strong.(Blayney Note: Seeking out danger and risk for their own sake is not Yu,it is Heroic Stupidity)
Honour - Meiyo
A true samurai has only one judge of honour, and this is himself.Decisions you make and how these decisions are carried out are a reflection of whom you truly are.You cannot hide from yourself.
Compassion - Jin
Through intense training the samurai becomes quick and strong. He is not as other men. He develops the power that must be used for the good of all. He has compassion. He helps his fellow man at every opportunity. If an opportunity does not arise, he goes out of his way to find one.
Complete Sincerity - Makoto
When a samurai has said he will perform an action, it is as good as done. Nothing will stop him from completing what he has said he will do.he does not have to "give his word". He does not have to "promise".Speaking and doing are the same action.
(Blayney Note: this requires the wisdom to discern what is achievable within your power, the self-confidence to trust your instincts and follow a way that is uncertain, the humility to admit limitations and the assertiveness to resist pressure of any form to go against your wisdom.)
Duty and Loyalty - Chu
For the samurai, having done some "thing" or said some "thing", he knows he owns that "thing". He is responsible for it and all the consequences that follow. A samurai is immensely loyal to those in his care. To those he is responsible for, he remains fiercely true.