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| Do you have honour | Started by: Yourmaw on Apr 28, '08 05:59 |
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Very broad question, I know. But one I always tend to think about. I ask myself this question a lot; does this mean I don't have it? I don't know. I like to think I do. But who am I to judge really. What exactly is honour? I suspect that if, after reading this, you were to go and ask the question of your friends and comrades, you might experience some difficulty finding someone who could give you, off the cuff, an accurate and adequate definition of honour. Those who do for respond will probably offer synonyms, digging into their memories for other words that are seldom used in today's world, like integrity, probity, morality, and self-sufficiency based upon an ethical and moral code. Some might even refine that further to include a conscience, but no one has ever really succeeded in defining honour absolutely, because it is a very personal phenomenon, resonating differently in everyone who is aware of it. We seldom speak of it today, in our post-modern, post-everything society. It is an anachronism, a quaint, mildly amusing concept from a bygone time, and those of us who do speak of it and think of it are regarded benevolently, and condescendingly, as eccentrics. But honour, in every age except, perhaps, our own, has been highly regarded greatly respected, and it has always been one of those intangible attributes that everyone assumes they possess naturally and in abundance. The standards established for it have always been high, and often artificially so, and throughout history battle standards have been waved as symbols of the honour and prowess of their owners. But for men and women of goodwill, the standard of honour has always been individual, jealously guarded, intensely personal, and uncaring of what others may think, say, or do. So, in the hop of sparking a little friendly debate, can you tell me what honour is to you? Maybe then, we can see if our ideals are anything alike. I am not out here to point fingers and say people do not have honour, as above suggests, it's really down to you to decide whether or not you have it. |
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I've noticed that what used to be honour is often confused with a lack of intelligence in recent times. To be honourable often involves ignoring the more intelligent option, which can be frustrating as you are left with a choice - do the intelligent thing, or do the honourable thing? I don't think I could possibly say which choice would be the right one, it could be circumstantial. An example to go with this would be probably one of the most recent set of events - and of course there were many tears over this and ITMBAGHBIL (I'm Taking My Ball And Going Home Because I Lost) are in uproar about it - the taking down of Crew Leaders as they sleep. Not very honourable, but the far more intelligent option for anyone who has the lives of themselves and their family in their interests. I daresay that most people wandering these streets do not have as much honour as they believe themselves to have. DJ_Spinster takes a stab at defining honour to finish his contribution to the discussion. An honourable person will uphold their own values, which are dependant on the person's role in society (ie. rank, or CL/RHM), even if it involves making the less intelligent choice. |
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| Reply by: DJ_Spinster at Apr 28, '08 07:15 | |
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Many different traits are required to truely have honour. For someone to claim they have honour in this world they must have respect, they must stick to their word and they must be loyal. They must be willing to die for their family, even if it means putting their family before their true blood. |
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| Reply by: TheD at Apr 28, '08 11:41 | |
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Jean Valjean, strolling down the street in a heavy overcoat, slows his pace when he hears an interesting discussion. With a quick look around the crowd, as if ensuring that someone in particular is not there, he steps out and begins to speak. I am somewhat reluctant to come out into these streets and make my presence known in public, but a discussion as important as this is worth the risk. The streets have been foreign to me for some time now; indeed, being anywhere besides the galleys is like waking up in an entirely new world. As a younger man I would have walked passed this corner with my head down and my jaw set as this abstract concept floated above me, but I have endeavored to develop my mind, and feel confident in contributing here. Though of course, there can be no single answer to this question. Jean Valjean clears his throat Enough of myself- you ask "What is honor?". Honor is the accumulated virtue of living your life the right way. What "the right way" is, of course, depends on the society one inhabits, as well as the person itself. I would submit, though, that the opinion other people in society hold of you is not "honor", but mere "reputation". Honor itself springs from within every man and woman, as they struggle to live according to their own moral code which often, but not always, mirrors that of society. As one lives, he or she repeatedly must choose between the paths of honor and dishonor. The former offers peace of mind, as one lives in accordance with their virtues. The latter tempts with the benefits of going against one's moral code. Every man, in some respect, walks both these paths, but when one has chosen to follow their moral code with dedication (and his virtues echo those of society) the crowd looks up at this man and calls him honorable. Honor is the result of having lived according to the virtues that springs from both within oneself and those that are appreciated by others, though the former is greater. Honor is truth- an honorable man lives according to what is within him, and presents no deception to those around him. An honorable man is one who, when he dies, can shut his eyes and look back on his life without much regret, while others feel within their heart of hearts the bitter stings and bites of having lived a life of deception, contrary to the virtues. |
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| Reply by: Jean_Valjean at Apr 28, '08 11:43 | |
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Thanks for your comments, people. I did hope that a topic such as this would generate more interest and opinions, oh well. Still, was good to get a few opinions on it at least, better than nothing! |
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| Reply by: Yourmaw at Apr 29, '08 08:01 | |
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I shouldn't worry Yourmaw, those that declined to comment either have no honour and do not wish to admit that, or they do not value honour very highly. An interesting twist to things in the Mafia, where it's claimed to be of the highest value.... |
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| Reply by: DJ_Spinster at Apr 29, '08 08:44 | |
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