where does the line 'today is a good day to die' originate?

[The_lurkeR]

It is correct, I went with my girlfriend to a lecture given by Wilma Mankiller* who wrote the book "_Every day is a good day_", and she talked about the origins of the title and how it related to the famous war cry. Basically it's part of a philosophy of courage and optimism, and how life isn't worth living if you're being too cautious or pessimistic.


* (Famous Native American activist, author, and former first female chief of the Cherokee nation)

 

[johnsemlak]

Interesting. I've always been a fan of the Klingon culture (as presented in TNG) but I hadn't drawn any connections between Native American cultures and the Klingons. I had more associated the Klingon Warrior culture with Homeric Greece. Makes a bit more sense now though.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Interesting. I've always been a fan of the Klingon culture (as presented in TNG) but I hadn't drawn any connections between Native American cultures and the Klingons. I had more associated the Klingon Warrior culture with Homeric Greece. Makes a bit more sense now though.

The quote can from American Indian culture and Gene always said ST was a western in space.

 

[shilsen]

The important question is who coined the SMART version of the war-cry, i.e. "Today is a good day for somebody else to die!"

 

[diaglo]

The important question is who coined the SMART version of the war-cry, i.e. "Today is a good day...

to run."

 

[Greylock]

If you Google the phrase, you'll see that almost every tribe of Plains Indian is credited with originating the phrase, although the Sioux come up most often. Klingons trail a distant second. And the third most common occurance of the phrase is in relation to the legendary heavy-metal band, Manowar. :\

 

[Hand of Evil]

I still perfer:
"Eat, Drink, and be Merry for tomorrow you die."
and
"No, Mister Bond, I expect you to die!"

 

[diaglo]

I still perfer:
"Eat, Drink, and be Merry for tomorrow you die."
and
"No, Mister Bond, I expect you to die!"

don't forget Harry's speech about St Crispin's Day.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

And the third most common occurance of the phrase is in relation to the legendary heavy-metal band, Manowar. :\

Hail the Army of the Immortals!!!!!!

 

[Hand of Evil]

don't forget Harry's speech about St Crispin's Day.

This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.​

Hail, the king