On Honor

QUESTION TEN (quoting me) “In announcing that there is a standard that applies to both and applies to all, you have found a point of agreement with me, who am much concerned with questions of honor and courtesy.”

I’m concerned with courtesy, but I’d like to hear you talk more about what exactly “honor” means. I usually use it as a formal synonym of “respect,” but I get the feeling you have a different definition in mind.

Honor is a simple yet complex thing, like love. On the one hand, it is the applause and admiration of one’s peers for some job well done or words well spoken; on the other hand, it is not the applause at all, but the worthiness of the deed itself to earn that applause in a more perfect world, regardless of whether the world pays that obligation. Sad experience shows credit and fame often lodge where least deserved.

In particular, the honor given for virtue is called honor, particularly for manly and military virtues, and other applause and accolades are for lesser things. Indeed, it is rare these days to hear the word used in this lesser sense. Occasionally one hears, for example, of an academy award “honoring” a film maker of filthy reputation not for his tiny virtue but for his large artistic talent, which, no matter how large, is a lesser thing.

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Originally published at John C. Wright's Journal. Please leave any comments there.