The Value Of Honor Essay, Research Paper
The Value of Honor
There is a priceless respect that everyone in the world possesses, and that is the
respect of a person’s honor. A person’s honor is something that can not be bought, sold,
or traded it’s something that must be gained by the respect of your peers. An example of
how honor is seen in everyday life in through a persons word. A persons honor is
supported by their word, and if they do not uphold their word then they are left with
nothing.
To try and explain the personal trait of honor is something that can not be done in
a few words, or a sentence. I feel as though honor is made up of different combinations of
personal traits depending on the individual. Some of these characteristics of honor can
include loyalty, reverence, respect, and commitment. Even though honor is usually looked
at as being a personal trait, there are people who think that honor can only be given, or
shown to an individual. Such examples of this can be seen by being presented with a
medal, or having a parade thrown in your honor. This is all a horrible misconception of
the word honor.
A time that honor is displayed more often than any is during a time of war. This is
evident through feats of valor, and heroism. Looking at this aspect of honor I feel as
though a person who would fight and die for their country would have more loyalty, and
commitment to presenting such honor. Such commendations are awarded in the armed
forces as a medal of honor. This medal is awarded to an individual who is on active duty,
and distinguishes themselves during a conflict or battle. The medal of honor was first
awarded during the civil war in the year 1861. Since the medal of honor’s creation there
has been some 3,400 medals awarded to the different divisions of the armed forces. Until
this day there has only been one woman who has received this honor for her service.
During World War II there was a black medal of honor awarded for extraordinary heroism
in the face of combat.
The next instance that I feel honor plays a big role in is in the presidency of The
United States of America. This is probably the greatest honor that anyone could obtain in
the United States of America. When our president is looked upon as controlling the most
powerful country in the world they are looked up to as the strength that makes us a world
power. Even in situations where a person who did not vote for the individual that
becomes elected to the presidential office, there is an unspoken bond that brings all
Americans together as a whole. In such instances as this I feel as though there is more
reverence, and respect for the president than there is for any other elected official in the
United States.
The honor that develops over time in a friendship is one that should never be
toyed around with. A good example of this would be two friends losing their friendship
because of a woman. A friend is someone that you can trust, someone who’s word means
something, and a friend is someone that you should not have to question about anything
when it comes to their actions. If you take a look at a fraternity there is a great sense of
brotherhood and friendship there. There are some fraternities where at the snap of a finger
brothers would jump through hoops for each other, but outside of that brotherhood it
would be questioned before taking action on the matter. Brotherhood is a bond that can
not be broken by anything, anyone, or anything it’s a bond that is held together by honor
and blood.
In my opinion to have honor for yourself is the most important kind of honor to
have if any at all. To have honor for ones self is more important than any friend, country,
or organization could ever be. Things change, and you will always be there for yourself
when no one else can. Because if you can’t respect, or be able to remain loyal to yourself
then you don’t have anyone to rely on at all. The idea of honor is one that should not be
taken lightly for any reason at all. For some people honor is all that they have to give.
When someone decides to takes that away, and question that persons honor it is
destroying the very fabric that holds honor, respect, and loyalty together for us all.