Tecumseh once stated, "When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home" (Tecumseh). Unlike Achilles, Tecumseh understands the importance of fighting for a true cause, even though it may mean that one will not return to their family. Achilles's self-centeredness led to disputes, struggles, gloom, and injuries among friends. Achilles's first struggle with selfishness began with a protest after King Agamemnon stated that he would only send Chryseis back to her father in exchange for Briseis, Achilles's lover. Achilles proclaimed…show more content… Tears filled the eyes of the greatest of warriors. Agamemnon selected Odysseus, Phoenix, and Ajax to persuade Achilles to fight by their sides. Odysseus argues that Agamemnon will give Briseis back to him. He also mentions the suffering soldiers who continue fighting through their hardships, yet he sits in comfort far from the battle. Phoenix was the next to speak. He sobered saying, "I loved you out of my heart. I made my own child, so that some day you might keep hard affliction from me" (Homer 229). He raised Achilles like a son, and wanted him to fight alongside with him. Finally, Ajax spoke. He scolded Achilles for not fighting. Achilles's final decision was to remain out of the war. The crew of three left Achilles's tent saddened. Achilles's selfishness had distressed even his closest of friends. Suffering was sure to happen with Achilles out of the war. The injuries of the Greeks included a spear wound to Agamemnon, an arrow puncture to Diomedes, a cut to Odysseus's side, a near fatal wound to Machoon, and an uncountable number of injuries inflicted on the other warriors. Even Patroclus, Achilles's close friend, died for a cause in which Achilles was to self-centered to fight. If Achilles was able to place others' needs first, he could have helped his comrades avoid their
