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RE: Daily Discussion No. 11: What Does it Mean to be an "Honorable" Person?

in #discussion7 years ago (edited)

Being honorable is not about self sacrifice. It's about not taking what you have not earned. To not take what is someone else's. It may be a lost wallet full of money, or someone else's woman. An honorable person would not steal or otherwise take advantage of a situation to get hold of something that don't belong to them. It is very important for the following reason: I once read than the only crime that exists is theft, cause all other crime are a kind of theft. But being honorable is not just being a law abiding citizen. Everyone knows the legal system of any country is far from perfect, and even when a corrupt law exists what is right must be done. Ok course there is some degree of relativity to it but I believe there are some transcultural values that apply or should apply to any normal human being in the world no matter the country or culture where that person lives.

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the only crime that exists is theft, cause all other crime are a kind of theft.

That's an interesting theory-- had not heard this before, but it does make sense if you sit and think it through. "Restrictions" on someone ultimately "steals" their freedom, etc.

Interesting perspective, thank you.

It's debatable but find it interesting. I recall it from the movie "The Kyte runner" and it's credited to the author of the book:

“there is only one sin, only one. And that is theft. Every other sin is a variation of theft. When you kill a man, you steal a life... you steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a ather. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness... there is no act more wretched than stealing.”
― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

That is compatible with the "Broken windows theory" that states that apparently petty crimes must be punished severely because it creates an atmosphere hostile for more grave crimes.