The Book of Honesty "An honest soul need not remember any lies. . ." --Browning, mage of Moonglow, Age of the Avatar |
. . . Though simple in nature, the path to Honesty is, perhaps, the most difficult to travel. And, indeed, one must often contemplate whether 'tis worth straying from this path in order to uphold Virtues of equal or greater necessity. Consider, then, these questions as postulated by a well-known gypsy: "A merchant owes thy friend money, now long past due. Thou dost see the same merchant drop a purse of gold. Dost thou Honestly return the purse intact; or Justly give thy friend a portion of gold first?" "Thou hast been prohibited by thy absent Lord from joining thy friends in a close-pitched battle. Dost thou refrain, so thou may Honestly claim obedience; or show Valor and aid they comrades, knowing thou may deny it later?" "Entrusted to deliver an uncounted purse of gold, thou dost meet a poor beggar. Dost thou Honestly deliver the gold, knowing the Trust in thee was well-placed or show Compassion, giving the beggar a coin, knowing it won't be missed?" "Thee and thy poor friend are valiant warriors. Thou both go out to slay a mighty dragon at request of thy Lord. Thy friend thinks he slew the dragon, but truly it was thine blow that felled the beast. Dost thou Honestly claim the reward; or silently Sacrifice it to thy friend who needs it more than thee?"