The Art of Manliness - Manvotionals - Brett McKay [97]
Having said thus much, let me remind you of some of the prominent characteristics of this Honor.
The first characteristic which I would mention is Truth. By this I would be understood to mean both the sentiment of Truth, implanted in your nature and growing with your growth, and also its outward demonstrations; as truth of purpose, which you call Ingenuousness—truth of action, which you call Honesty—truth of speech, which you call Veracity—truth of manners, which you call Candor—truth of life, which you call Integrity—truth of principle, which you call Uprightness.
Be true then to your word; be true to your promises; be true to your instructors; be true to your fellow students; be true to yourselves; and be true to your God.
There is another important characteristic of true Honor, which I would next place before you. It is Fidelity. Fidelity to the trusts committed to you. I ask you to notice that old English word, Trust-worthy, i.e. worthy of confidence. It is used to point out anyone who can be depended upon to keep that securely which has been committed to him, or to discharge to the best of his ability that which it is his duty to do. Fidelity is the soul of trustworthiness. It is loyalty to that position in which God has placed you, and to the various trusts which are committed to you. It is a most noble characteristic.
A third characteristic of true honor is Courtesy. This is a word that includes within its meaning, Politeness, Civility, and Good Manners. I do not speak here of Etiquette, which comprehends rather the rules of society and of social life; rules which may greatly vary in different times and in different places, and which are easily learned if one is disposed to learn them and finds it necessary. But I speak of that which is the soul of Etiquette, which supplies it with meaning, whatever the rule of society may be; that which gives luster to civility, that which gives heart to politeness, that which gives charm to good manners. Courtesy, is a kindly desire and a considerate effort for the comfort and happiness of those around you. It is immeasurably beyond mere mannerism. It is a specific antidote to selfishness. It is a precise fulfillment, in your manners, in your words, in your gestures, of the golden rule, “Whatsoever Ye Would That Men Should Do To You, Do Ye Even So To Them.” It teaches you to place yourself, in thought, in the position of those around you; and to recognize their just claims to attention and respect. … It teaches you, if you have hastily or thoughtlessly given pain to another, to break through the false shame and evil pride which would prevent you from acknowledging and remedying your fault. It teaches you to sympathize in some sort with the lives of your fellow beings, and to lend them a helping hand in the time of need. It develops your charity, of thought, word, and action.
Aim to be true gentlemen, to be young gentlemen. We do not desire you to be other than you are. We do not wish you to wear a mask, to conceal under a polished exterior the inner selfishness, vanity, malice, and rage of the heart. But in this respect to study Truth, and not only to be what you seem to be, but to be what you ought to seem to be—Courteous.
But I pass on to another point. If you would cherish in yourselves true Honor and self-respect, cultivate also the spirit of Reverence: Reverence for all persons and all things which are to be reverenced. Your Parents are to be reverenced … The guardians and keepers of the Nation’s power and liberties are to be reverenced, whatever their political views may be. … Our people, old and young, greatly need reformation on this point. One of the evil fruits of the intoxication of politics which is rife amongst us, is a most disrespectful and slanderous way of dealing with the prominent men who differ from ourselves in political views, and who may be actually discharging in good faith the duties which have been committed to them by the vote of the majority of the people, according to our republican