The Nine Noble Virtues of Asatru/Odinism

Asatru and Odinism are neo-pagan faiths that do their best to adhere/emulate the pre-Christian, Germanic faiths of Western Europe.

Common among Odinist and Asatru circles is a code of virtues known as "The Nine Noble Virtues", a code based off readings of the certain poems found withing the Elder/Poetic Edda (namely the Havamal & Sigrdrifomal).

This code of nine virtues is immanently practical and incredibility helpful for helping those who have long dwelt in the darkness of this age and now seek the light by reclaiming a part of the hidden mysteries of our fore-bearers.

The Nine Noble Virtues - 

1.  Courage - The virtues begin with Courage, because without it you can go nowhere in life. Courage allows you to make the changes in your life necessary for your own betterment and for the betterment of your family. Courage is the foundation of all other virtues - without it the rest would easily fall.
2. Truth - In all your dealings - with yourself and with others - Truth should be your guiding principle. To speak the Truth, to walk the Truth, and to live the Truth is the hallmark of a person of power. Deceit will always come back to haunt you, but the truth is an armor that will protect you from all attacks.
3. Honor - Honor can mean a lot things to a lot of people. But in this context we mean to live your life in such a way that you truly embody the other eight virtues. Where the virtue of Courage gives you the strength to practice the other virtues, Honor is the actual act of living those virtues. To live a life of honor is to live a life worth remembering!
4. Fidelity - In life, it is essential that when we make a commitment we are to stay true to that commitment. Fidelity is a faithfulness to all the things in our lives that really matter: ourselves, our family, our spouses, and our gods. In today's modern word, it is all too easy simply walk away from our commitments - in fact, it is often times encouraged! But to a person of true virtue, Fidelity is the key to lasting happiness and real personal growth.
5. Discipline - To lead a virtuous life takes incredible amounts of Discipline. Modern life is fraught with the dangers of ease and frivolity which will lead one astray into the excesses and vices of a "living death" - a life without meaning and purpose. Discipline is that virtue which allows you to improve yourself inside and out, enabling you to become a person above and beyond the sheepish and fearful masses of the modern world.
6. Hospitality - Those of European heritage have always taken Hospitality very seriously (sometime to our detriment as seen in the current wave of "runaway" multiculturalism). To help a person in need by sharing your gifts is a virtue that helps strengthen communities. Virtually all of us have found ourselves in a destitute situation, in need of a helping hand at some point or another (remember we all come into this world with nothing). Showing others kindness is the mark of a strong individual indeed.
7. Self Reliance - While Hospitality is truly a laudable virtue, it should by no means be considered something we should solely rely upon. No, the virtue of Self Reliance should ever  be our goal. On the backs of others should never be how we get by in life. The ability to take care of one's own self and one's own family is what every virtuous person should strive for - in obtaining food, shelter, and safety. Remember: the gods only help those that help themselves.
8. Industriousness - We are never handed an ideal set of circumstances or an ideal set of tools with which to work. In fact, we are promised nothing in this life. Therefore, it is incumbent upon our own selves to make the most out of the hand we are dealt. This is the virtue of Industriousness - make due with what available instead of wishing for that which is not.
9. Perseverance - We end our discussion of the Nine Noble Virtues quite fittingly with the virtue of Perseverance. Where Courage gives us the initial burst of strength needed to begin the path of a virtuous life, Perseverance is the endurance needed to see that path through to the end. The path is not always easy and sticking to it is hard. But maintaining our course is essential if we are ever to have a life worth living. You are the waves of the sea and the trials and tribulations of life the rocks and stone upon which you beat - eventually you will break them down.