Code of Honor预览

A Life of Virtue

C.S. Lewis once said, “We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.” What a striking description of modern society. Enrique Santos Discépolo, composer of the famous Argentine tango Cambalache, also clearly portrayed the social decay and deep disillusionment of his time. In the final verse, he wrote: “Don’t think too much, sit aside, no one cares if you were born honorable! It’s all the same—the one who works day and night like an ox, the one who lives off others, the one who steals, the one who heals, or the one who’s outside the law.” This song, written in 1929, already described the fading fabric of human dignity and mutual respect.

That’s why it’s so important to live—and inspire others to live—lives that please God. As 2 Corinthians 5:9 says: “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.”

Author Albán once said, “Honor is nothing but the reward of virtue.” Even more insightful is Mateo Alemán’s definition: "As if we didn’t know that honor is the daughter of virtue; and as much as one is virtuous, one will be honored. It is impossible to take away my honor unless you take away my virtue, which is at the heart of it."

Honor is the wealth of virtuous qualities in the soul that pleases God and is made visible in how we treat others. Honor is what one possesses; honor given and respect is the recognition others confer upon that virtue. One either has honor or does not—it is inherent, though it can be lost. As Seneca said: “He who loses honor has nothing left to lose.”

Honor is inward dignity; and respect is outward recognition. Both begin with a life of holiness and virtue before God—a life that pleases Him and brings Him glory.

To Reflect: Leaders are those who hold the beautiful calling of rebuilding virtue—one day at a time, and one conversation at a time.