In the time of Gorkut Ata, exceptionally brave men were called “mad” or “insane,” for example, Mad Domrul, Mad Garçar. In the epic of Görogly we find Mad Mätel and Mad Harman. These men who were called “mad” were the ones who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country.

The commanders would command the soldiers, “You should accept the prospect of death before battle, if you want to defeat the enemy and to survive.” The commanders were right, because the army of the enemy who were fighting only for spoils could not triumph against lions who would risk even death.

Cowardly soldiers were punished by having to clean out the ashes from hearths and were taken from village to village. Remember Görogly saying to Veli Hyrtman, who had shown cowardice during the war, “Wear a headscarf on your head.” Remember Celaleddin. One wing of Celaleddin’s army defeated the Moguls in the Isfahan War, while the other wing was defeated because some of the commanders in the defeated wing had retreated. After the war, Celaleddin forced the ones who had retreated to put on headscarves and walk in the streets of Isfahan. After this, nobody showed cowardice again. Thus our ancestors answered the question, “What is worse than death?” with “Cowardice.” Today, bravery should underlie the foundations of work, life, thought, and awareness of Türkmens as a nation. Türkmens should cope with their difficulties and have self-respect. Then we will be able to find our place in the balance of the world.

People who present heroism as a way of life are always brave.