Honor - Virtue

"A wise man was asked what virtue he would choose if he were to be known by only one. 'Honor,' he replied without hesitation. 'If I am known to being honorable, it can only mean I have demonstrated many other virtues.'
The application of virtue is the positive core of any culture, society, or nation. Like individuals, nations can be kind, generous, truthful, honest, generous and courageous. Those individuals, culture, societies, and nations that indiscriminately -- blindly, if you will -- apply all virtues in their conduct and dealings will establish themselves and emerge as the most honorable. To be honorable is to have integrity -- to be honest -- and to do what is morally correct. As much as judgement is based on what we do, it is also, and perhaps more indelibly, defined by what we fail to do.
...
War is, and has been, basically the same the world over. If it is a defensive action, it is usually to resist encroachment or invasion -- imperialism. As an offensive action it is usually to encroach or invade, which are imperalistic notions. Consequently, a nation or culture is judged by how and why it engaged itself in war. ... The underlying rationale was that if a man was capable of acting bravely and honorably in the midst of the most violent, choatic, and frightening circumstances, he was capable of bravery and honor in the time of peace."

(taken from "The Lakota Way", by Joseph M. Marshall III, p. 67-70)


My current search (mental, spiritual, emotional, et cetera) is towards this vague notion that I have of Virtue -- a word that has been tossed around, like so many others, that it has begun to lose its meaning. Or perhaps, the meaning is vague in and of itself, always dependent on the society and culture from which it sprung, varying on what each group of people considered 'good' and 'bad' character traits.

If Virtue is the goal at the top of a mountain, then there are many many paths one could follow in order to reach it.

And yet, the more that I study different cultures and their versions of Virtue, I realize that they are not all that different. Some cultures point to meditation, others by strenuous education, others by complete and utter humility... The goal is usually 'how to be the best possible person within oneself, and within the community'. (While some may argue that community is not necessary for one's 'personal' virtue to be realized, I'd argue that other people are necessary. Reputation (be it good or bad) requires other people, as does honor. Without someone to recognize your acts, the action/behavior cannot be validated. Without another person nearby to note your choice of humility over arrogance, to receive your generosity, to see your act of bravery or courage... the act cannot be considered truly complete.)


I seek this idea called Virtue. And I outright admit that I am a tyro to morality and ethics, to philosophy and to life. (Indeed, I will be a student for as long as I can.) But, at least I am learning, want to learn, put effort into understanding.

However, I have a growing concern that people, by and large, are completely ignorant of such a noble character, and are comfortable with convenience, rather than consciousness and morality.

Surely, virtuous behavior has not fallen into the realm of fables and myths, considered completely unreachable because literature is merely 'fiction'...?