The Art of Manliness - Manvotionals - Brett McKay [84]
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In its most primitive form, honor is simply the status or reputation of a man in the eyes of others. In the past, honor primarily focused on “saving face,” often through the use of violence. If a man tried to diminish your status through insults or physical attacks, you hit back, and hit back hard. Might made right, even if you were in reality the guilty party. In the Iliad, Achilles unleashed his wrath on Hector to defend the honor of his fallen friend Patroclus. Up into the late nineteenth century, gentlemen would meet on the “field of honor,” dueling to defend any slight (however petty) another man made towards him or the woman he loved.
But over the millennia, the meaning of honor has changed from being primarily about outward appearances to focusing on a man’s inner qualities. It isn’t enough that others perceive a man as being virtuous or truthful, a man must actually be good. While vestiges of the primitive form of honor still exist today, honor, for the most part, now means being a man of integrity.
The word integrity is related to the roots of words like integrate and entire. In Spanish it is rendered integro, meaning “whole.” Integrity therefore implies the state of being complete, undivided, intact, and unbroken. We have thus saved this virtue for last because honor pulls and bonds together all the other virtues; it is the mark of a man who has successfully integrated all good principles. His life is a unified whole.
The man of honor is loyal, faithful, and true; he keeps his promises and fulfills his duties. His word is his bond. He does the right thing, even when no one is looking. The man of honor is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. He doesn’t deal in rationalizations or excuses and is always willing to own up and take responsibility for his mistakes and failures. He doesn’t waver when called upon to make the tough choices. He can go to sleep at night with a clear conscience and look at himself in the mirror without flinching. The man of honor knows who he is and where he is going. In short, the honorable man enjoys the supreme confidence and unsurpassed happiness that comes with having every aspect of one’s life knit together in a unity of purpose.
In a world that has lost trust in some of its most sacred and important institutions, honor is the virtue most needed and yet in shortest supply. More than ever, we need men of honor who will step up and stand for truth and right. We hope this final chapter solidifies your desire to integrate the manly virtues more fully into your life and to become a part of the growing movement of men seeking to revive the lost art of manliness.
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“A man’s got to have a code, a creed to live by, no matter his job.” —John Wayne
Three Codes of Honor
Communities often establish formal codes of honor that furnish members with a set of standards by which to live while also fostering a sense of solidarity. Below we provide examples of the honor codes of three different groups.
THE WEST POINT CADET CODE
The Cadet Code defines the “minimum standard of ethical behavior that all cadets have contracted to live by.” Cadets are expected to strive to live the Spirit of the Code, which goes beyond this standard to encompass a life of full honor and integrity. The three rules of thumb are designed to help cadets decide whether an action is honorable or not.
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The Cadet Code
“A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
Three Rules of Thumb
a. Does this action attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived?
b. Does this action gain or allow the gain of privilege or advantage to which I or someone else would not otherwise be entitled?
c. Would I be satisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of this action?
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THE BOY SCOUT OATH AND LAW
The Boy Scouts of America have been pledging the same oath and striving to live the same law for one hundred years.
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The Oath
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and