Dakota Beacon

“Honor:” a word from the cobwebs of our lexicon.

 From the dustbin of our vocabulary comes this seldom heard word. In an age of pop culture and high tech entertainment, “honor” is a word finding little use in conversation much less as a concept in practice.

How unfortunate. If ever there was a time to stress honor in conduct, that time is now. From the macrocosm of the political to the microcosm of the family, the absence of honor leaves a chasm of ruptured relationships.

The word “honor” is used as either a verb or a noun. As a verb, it may refer to how we esteem or respect another person as in, “Honor thy father and thy mother.” Or, it may mean to accept something as valid as in, “ I honor your check.”

But “honor” is more than a word. It is something conferred by one person upon another. At a deeper level, “honor” expresses an inherent and intangible quality or attribute as part of one’s character. In this instance, “honor” is used as a noun. Some definitions come to mind. It could refer to a great privilege as in, “I have the honor of presenting ….” It could also refer to the dignity accorded to a high rank or noble status such as, “I was awed by the honor of his office.” The word “honor,” as explored below, attests to the good name and reputation retained by a person.

Honor, although waning in significance, still remains the hallmark of personal conduct for many people. It springs from character. A person who determines right from wrong, and adheres to the right, is said to be a person of honor. An honorable person’s word, written or spoken, can be accepted without question. For such a person, facts are facts and opinions are identified as such. Conduct of an honorable person is based on a higher standard than mere self-interest and petty gain. A person living honorably in the conduct of his or her affairs may look all people squarely in the eye knowing he or she walks truthfully. Such a person seeks to associate with other honorable people.

To possess honor presumes a knowledge of right and wrong, good and evil. In Western civilization Christianity formed the basis of such knowledge. Christian precepts set the standard by which conduct is measured.

Today, we find ourselves in a quandary. In a relativistic culture with diminished Christian influence, much of the traditional understanding of right and wrong is also diminished. In literature, film, TV, courts of law, and even personal relationships, old standards are muddled at best. Words associated with the old standards, words like “honor,” relinquish some degree of relevance.

It is safe to say that, to the degree a credible standard of right and wrong is muddled in personal conduct, to that same degree “honor” dwindles as an ingredient of individual character.

Attacking a person’s honor poisons relationships. An attack on the honor of another person dishonors the perpetrator to the point that bridging the gap in relationships may not be possible. Why should a person not respecting the honor of another continue as a superficial or fantasy relationship?

Respecting the honor of another person is serious business. There was a time when a man took his life in his hands by maligning the honor of another man. Men fought duels to requite the challenge to their honor.

Vestiges remain of an ethics that embraces honor. Within the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H is found an effort to instill in young people a sense of honor. The oaths, laws and precepts of these organizations leave no doubt as to the paramount role honor plays as a standard by which to live. The Character Counts program in schools endeavors to replicate this standard, without the strength and foundation of faith. Certainly the epitome of a code of honor is found in the officer corps of our armed forces. Military academies accentuate within the cadet corps honor as a way of life.

General Douglas MacArthur’s farewell address to the Corps of Cadets at West Point focused on honor. He reminded the Corps of the high standard they shared with those who passed on before. Honor was central to the code: Duty--HONOR--Country. How long must we wait before once again hearing a public figure so eloquently express a deep understanding of honor?

Life offers choices for everyone. To live honorably is a choice to salvage character. As always, the decision is ours.

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at P. O. Box 337, Stanley, ND 58784 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).