Honor

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What is it and why does it matter and hold such a strong binding on the human species, especially the male? So many wars, so many vendetta’s and so many deaths can be attributed to the loss of honor by one party or another, why? 

Honor is defined as follows:

High respect; esteem;  privilege; regard with great respect; to fulfill (an obligation) or keep (an agreement); a person or thing that brings credit; adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct; a thing conferred as a distinction, especially an official award for bravery or achievement; etc.

The military have a code of honor that has led many to victory in the name of what ever power or government who let loose the dogs of war. It seems that the term is used often such as, “In war it is understood that you give your word of honor to do your duty to stand and fight instead of running away and deserting your friends.” Then it may be about respect of your peers, how honor adds to self-esteem as driven by the group and about fulfilling obligations and agreements, i.e., when you join you are obligated and agree to stand by your fellow soldiers and to stand by your culture and society as comprised of families and governing bodies all in the name of, “Survival!”

Then as a tribe-like construct and the inherent need to belong especially toward individual survival you must be distinguished according to the needs and rules of the tribe while the tribe also adheres to the needs and rules of both the individual and the tribe where the tribe distinguishes by actions and deeds in a social connectivity that binds one to the other also for the needs based on survival. This is done by the service and achievements of the tribal members as well as the collective of the tribe. 

Often, honor is based on both individual and tribal like traits such as, “Loyalty, duty, respect, service, integrity and personal courage.” Honor comes from living up to such traits and principles and it often leads to a bonding of brothers that makes the tribe, the military discipline, unbreakable and invincible.  

Honor can also be said to be about those who develop the habit of being honorable, and solidify that habit with every value choice they make. Honor is a matter of carrying out, acting, and living the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything they, as both individuals and brothers in arms, do.

The Marines speak of honor as, “The bedrock of a Marines character. It is the quality that empowers Marines to exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior: to never lie, cheat, or steal; to abide by an uncompromising code of integrity; to respect human dignity; and to have respect and concern for each other. It represents the maturity, dedication, trust, and dependability that commit Marines to act responsibly, be accountable for their actions, fulfill their obligations, and hold others accountable for their actions.”

Need I say more … hold to honor, yours and your tribes and allow that to create integrity, character and a bedrock personality that will carry you throughout your life.

Bibliography (Click the link)

“In order for any life to matter, we all have to matter.” - Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal (ret)