The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-05-23
RULES OF HONOR.

The kind of honor that has its origin IN
rules is not of very high character, but real
honor, based upon principles of justice,
consideration and sympathy, finds the need
of rules which may be studied with proft.
A great many men get through the world
withoutdoing anything which can be clearly
called dishonorable and yet without attain
ing a reputation for honor. They are not
altogether trusted or distrusted. The really
honorable man is distinguished among MS
fellows: his word is as good as his bond he
can be implicitly trusted with what are
called secrets and he becomes the conhdant
of many friends because they know that ne
will not betray them or do them an injury.
Because of this character and reputation he
becomes a man of influence. Nearly all
successful politicians, though they may
have different reputation in their dealings
with opponents or the general public, have
a reputation for honor and good faith
among their associates and lieutenants, and
that is the secret of their power. If they
should play false with those who serve
them, they could not again command their
help. A reputation for high sense OF
honor is invaluable to the business man, not
merely in providing him with more credit
than his capital alone would furnish, but in
bringing to him private information of
value which would not be entrusted to one
who might misuse it. The honorable man
never INDUCES in defamatory gossip.
1t is a rule of his conscience not to talk
about other people of their affairs, because
violation of that rule might do them an
injury He respects the condolences re-
posed in him, and hence invites consulta-
tons and confessions. The lawyer, ply
stefan. editor or banker who establishes a
high reputation for honor becomes the
repository of secrets which, if disclosed
might bring ruin upon whole communities.
The information may be of great value to
him in legitimate way, but being man
of honor, he never discloses it or misuses
it. The first and most important rule for a
man of honor to observe is that of keeping
strictly to his word, and never under any
temptation betraying confidence reposed
in him. The young man of honorable i'm
pulses who is inexperienced may think this
an easy thing to do, but it is not. The
temptations to air superior knowledge or to
hint at its possession are very great, and
sometimes through mere thoughtlessness
the inexperienced betray secrets they
should have guarded. An honorable man
must have not merely good intentions, but
thorough command of himself. He must
be considerate, sympathetic and on guard
at all times against careless remarks. The
novelists paint their honorable heroes as
being highly impulsive, but the prosaic
world does not set up such men as men to
be trusted. It's men of honor are reticent,
deliberative in thought and action, kindly,
considerable and just. The type is not
romantic, but it is substantial, and young
men cannot do better than aspire to be
recognized as men of honor of this kind.
To attain such ambition they must keep
faith with their fellows, speak the truth
and observe in good faith all their promises,
and to do this they must be thoughtful,
considerate and just.