Honor

Shards of Honor

Galatyne Knightwyng—Summer 2001

Honor is a virtue that many whose company I keep hold in high regard. It is a trait that is sworn by, fought over, lost, won, sought as a prize, and offered as proof of character. Yet, for something apparently so central to life, the exact meaning of honor can be very elusive and mercurial. Most definitions include integrity, honesty, loyalty, having or giving proper respect, distinguishing one’s self in battle, and adherence to a set of rules or personal beliefs. It is considered to be a unifying virtue that transcends physical borders and cultural boundaries.

For most of my life, I too have held to these tenets and valued my honor as my life, perhaps even more so. But like all else that I was and am, I have forced myself to re-examine it, question it, and redefine it.... read more

A Riposte to Honour

Loristarthamae—Autumn 2001

I have followed with interest your debate in these pages. Falastralisathanaeastra, knowing my weakness for such pastime, has shared your exchange with me. Thus far, I have refrained from comment, but as such quiescence vexes me, and Falastralisathanaeastra assures me this is an open forum, I shall tender my thoughts for consideration.

I have, for some months, contemplated a response to the ongoing discussion of good and evil, and may yet put one forth to this company. However, upon reading Galatyne’s most recent writings, I find a more ready reply to certain points raised on the matter of honour.

The first is his implication that honour is an inflexible, unchanging set of ideals. Honour should not be unchanging, for we ourselves change as we learn.... read more

A Response to the Grotto on Honor

Kiriannin Seflannin—Spring 2002

The way of the Seflannin does not lend itself easily to endless hours of debate over the finer points of what guides the actions of friend and foe. My human host is always pleased to round out an argument over such nuances as the role of ethics in magic or whether war is good or evil, even to the point of presenting as his own an opinion that serves only to disagree with that of his companions. It is surely only because of his influence that I choose now to voice my thoughts on the matter of honor.... read more

Killers, Slaves, and Heroes

Satyir—Spring 2002

It has been a little while since I have contributed to the Grotto, but some things have happened recently that got me thinking…

....How do we justify our concepts of good, evil, wrong and right in the face of the very real presence of Powers that can refute our ideas and deeds with the same expenditure of energy that we would put into raising a mug of mead? Another topic that has taken my fancy lately is the idea, put forth mostly by some humans of narrow mind who worship their deity by slaughtering other sentient beings, that some of us may not have a soul… and thus the killing of a soul-less being is somehow acceptable. These topics are related, I feel, to the slavery issue, and the example of how Sarpana uses her power, and how we each use our power.... read more

Shards of Honor II

Galatyne Knightwyng—Autumn 2002

I have consulted the scholars of our day on the matter of honor, and their foremost definition focused on high public esteem, fame, and glory. Only as an afterthought did they also include honesty or integrity in one’s beliefs and actions. While I suspect that there are more than a few people who would reverse the order of importance of these definitions, this indicates just how many people do view honor as a “stick against which to measure others”. I have heard many of the people I spend time with refer to another individual, or themselves, as “honorable”. What are they doing but taking the measure of that person, and whose standards of honor are being used…. The speaker’s? The subject’s? The listener’s?.... read more

Shades of Honor

Hoot Dreamsinger—Autumn 2002

The three previous discourses on honor all had many valid points with which I am in agreement. I hope to clarify these discussion by adding an additional element. A few perceptions, such as honor being an illusion, were a bit misguided. With that, I will disagree. Yet, it needs a better definition to take it from fuzzy thoughts to something truly noble.

First, as was the case in the other expositions, I will touch on elements often confused with honor. Pride and glory being the most common. For though both have their places, neither should be mistaken for honor.... read more

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