Dictionary Definitions Of Honor, Honesty, and integrity

Honor

' A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction.' That's how the dictionary defines honor. Now I will give you a real life story example.

 Two boys were walking along a road through a field, when they came upon an old coat and a badly worn pair of shoes. Off in the distance a farmer was working his field. The younger boy thought it would be fun to hide the coat and shoes, and then wait in the bushes to see the farmer’s expression upon finding his things missing. The older boy thought about that, but then told his friend that the farmer must be awfully poor to have clothing so worn. Instead he suggested that he would put a silver dollar in a shoe, then they could hide and watch the expression on the farmer’s face. 


Silver dollars were worth a lot to a boy in those days, but the boys agreed that this was a good idea so they each did it. By and by the farmer came out of the field and put his foot in one shoe. He pulled his foot back out, reached into the shoe, and withdrew the coin with considerable surprise. The farmer looked around and couldn’t see anyone, so proceeded to put on the shoe again, and then to try the other one. Finding the second silver dollar, the farmer knelt on the ground and prayed aloud to the Lord, rejoicing because he would now be able to help his wife, who was sick, and his children, who had no bread.

That lesson was worth far more to the boys than $2.00.

Honor means choosing right over wrong, even when it's tempting to make a mistake. The 2 boys learned this lesson when the farmer discovered the money, and even though the money could have helped the boys, it helped the farmer more.

I think that the boys made a smart move. Not only did it give the farmer a needed gift, it gave the boys a feeling that they did something good, a feeling of pride. I think everyone, including myself, should try to live like that.

Honesty

The quality of being honest, integrity.

'Lets say I tell you President Bush has a tail. And for some crazy reason I convince you and you believe it. You run around telling everyone what you think is true. Yes, you are being honest. But your word has no integrity.' I pulled this one off of Yahoo!, and let me tell you, now I completely understand the difference. So here is honesty.

Once upon a time, long ago, there was an emperor who loved nature. He loved his garden and everything in it very much. Now one day, the time came when the emperor must choose a successor. Since he loved nature, he decided flowers would help him choose. He told everyone in his kingdom to come forth to the palace. 

On the outskirts of the village lived a small girl named Serena. She had always longed to see the palace, and she ran  to it when she was called. Once everyone was there, the emperor gave everyone seeds and told them that whoever brought back the most beautiful flower would rule. Serena took good care of her seed, but despite her good care, the flower pot stayed empty. Finally the day came to show the emperor the flowers. Serena brought hers, and everyone else had pretty flowers. Finally, the emperor said, " Did you bring me an empty pot? Serena answered, " I took good care of it, but it would not grow." " Dear child, I have not any idea were the others got their seeds from. The ones I handed out were roasted and would not grow. Thank you for being honest with me. May you reign long!"

By not cheating, Serena won the kingdom. The others thought they could get away with cheating, but obviously, that did not work out too well. Liars never succeed.


I think I learned my honesty lesson today. I don't want to bore my readers to death with repeated honor and honesty Think A Thoughts, and I also know deep down that it's not ok to lie, because it leaves a stain on your pride.

Integrity

Steadfast adherence to a strict ethical code.  

Here is your integrity story.

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago.  Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was his lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education.

Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great.

So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he would ever pay.

Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. The poem read: 

The clock of life is wound but once, 
to tell just when the hands will stop 
At late or early hour. 
and no man has the power 
Now is the only time you own. 

Live, love, toil with a will. 
Place no faith in time. 
For the clock may soon be still. 

Eddie's choice was a difficult one, but it showed a good example for his son. He had honor to know what was right, and integrity. He knew that Capone was putting words into his mouth, and decided to tell the truth.


Difficult choices are in everyone's life at some point or another. They have been in my life quite a few times. Everyone has to make them. Whether or not they are good ones, it depends on you.


Good night,

Maddie