When I thought to write about Honesty, I thought that it will be the easiest subject to talk about, but when I started thinking I realized that it is not a single virtue or a quality but it is basis of all the virtues and negation of all the evils. This is a principle on which the well-being of the entire universe is designed and based on.
Honesty is the keel on which the whole universe rotates on and it is a big wheel that drives the entire system. If you think a bit seriously; without honesty there is no justice, no fair play, no peace and no balance in the Universe.
Honesty is the basic virtue which is the foundation of survival of any healthy happy and progressive family, society and state and is the cornerstone of any and every relationship.
Without the honesty the human society is a body without soul slowly starting to rot and eventually approaching towards extinction. History is full of evidences of destruction of civilizations, nations and generations whose end resulted only and only due to the deviation from path of honesty and truth.
Honesty is not the name of a single quality or virtue but a bundle and a bouquet of almost all the virtues combined.Honesty is the virtue which is so delicate that it can be destroyed by any of the following vices. Honesty exists when a person, society or country is free from all the following vices.
Lies: First requirement of being an honest person is to be truthful. A liar cannot be trusted in any relationship, role or position whether that of a subordinate, superior or even of an equal. No one will be foolish to accept the word, witness, opinion or any statement of a liar.
“Anything is better than lies and deceit!”
― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Cheating: Would you rely on a person as your friend, subordinate or superior if you suspect him to be a cheat? Can a cheat command the respect in any position whether high or low. Cheat can succeed temporarily but eventually he has to be exposed and dishonored.
“When people cheat in any arena, they diminish themselves-they threaten their own self-esteem and their relationships with others by undermining the trust they have in their ability to succeed and in their ability to be true.”
― Cheryl Hughes
Theft: Where thief is a criminal even a suspected thief is a position of utmost discomfort for his colleagues, friends, neighbors and any other relationship. A thief of however stature is a criminal to be punished and discarded sooner or later. The wise course to follow is as follows:
“Don’t let a thief into your house three times. The first time was enough. The second time was a chance. The third time means you’re stupid.”
― C. JoyBell C
Cowardice: This is another vice that negates the honesty. A coward cannot be honest as honesty requires adherence to the truth irrespective of the consequences which most of the time carry the risk of temporary displeasure of the powerful. To achieve a higher purpose a person has to be truthful, forthright and steadfast which require a high standard of bravery.
“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder
“It takes strength and courage to admit the truth.”
― Rick Riordan, The Red Pyramid
Trust worthiness: It is also a quality that is required in an on honest person. If a person is not trustworthy he cannot true friendship.
“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.”
― Robert Louis Stevenson
Fair in his dealings: Fairness is to give everyone a fair share according to caliber, contribution hard work sincerity and honesty.
“Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. Fairness means everyone gets what they need.”
― Rick Riordan, The Red Pyramid
To sum up a real honest person lives his life on the following principles:
“Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:
– I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
– I shall fear only God.
– I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
– I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
– I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Rais Khan is a Chartered Accountant and an author. He has worked in corporate sector for 40 years in a variety of corporations ranging from IBM to Etisalat in UAE. He has worked and lived in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, USA, Africa and the UAE. Currently he is a freelance business consultant and part-time writer. He is the Editor of Pehchaan and can be contacted at
[email protected]
