Introduction
To love and honor is to know how to protect your own worth. Every one of us—myself included, as well as you who are reading this—has honor. By “honor,” I do not mean simply rank, titles, or high positions, such as those of generals or ministers. Rather, I am referring to the good deeds, moral actions, and upright conduct that one has consistently practiced over time.
If a person holds a leadership or managerial role, it is even more essential to safeguard their honor and reputation. In truth, everyone must protect their honor as carefully as they would their own life.
A Story of Integrity: The Car Mechanic’s Example
There is a story of a man who told a car repair specialist:
“I need to replace my boss’s four car tires. Please install the cheapest ones you can, but write in the invoice that they are premium quality and expensive. Whatever profit remains, I’ll split it with you fifty-fifty.”
The specialist replied firmly, with a smile:
“Sorry, I cannot do that. My workshop has been operating for more than ten years, and many customers trust me and the services I provide. I cannot compromise my principles for what you are asking.”
This mechanic’s stance reflects a valuable truth: each of us must safeguard our honor and dignity. We should never tarnish it for the sake of a little ill-gotten money, gained through unethical or immoral means.
Honor Earned vs. Honor Claimed
True honor must be earned in the right way—through good conduct that naturally inspires the respect of others, not by self-praise.
- Some people, despite holding no official rank, boast and parade themselves to be recognized.
- Others, though ordinary in status, live with such integrity that they command genuine respect and admiration from society.
Such people, in truth, are far greater than those with rank but no virtue.
On the other hand, individuals with high status sometimes commit dishonorable acts such as corruption. They may have power, but they lose their honor. Worse still, they stain not only their own reputation but also that of their family and lineage. This is deeply shameful.
Real-Life Story: The Honest Money Changer
Just last month, a friend of mine exchanged one million riels for US dollars. During the count, the money changer found the riel amount short by 10,000.
Though security footage showed no mistake on his part, the money changer still added the missing 10,000 riels from his own pocket to complete the amount. Later, when my friend reviewed the office CCTV, he realized it was his own mistake in miscounting. He immediately returned the 10,000 riels to the money changer.
This incident illustrates two important lessons:
- The money changer was willing to take a small loss to preserve his honor and maintain good relations with a customer.
- My friend demonstrated honesty by admitting his mistake and returning the money.
Both showed integrity in protecting their reputation.
Also Read: The Power of Reason: Why Clear Reasoning Leads to Success in Life and Family
Why Honor Is Life’s Greatest Treasure
Honor is a serious matter, one of life’s most important treasures. Therefore, we must love it and guard it carefully, never letting it slip away.
A truly great person is one who never loses their honor, whose good name remains intact at all times and in all circumstances. Once you have earned a good reputation, you must preserve it faithfully, never allowing anyone to trample on it.
This requires:
- Truthfulness
- Righteous conduct in all actions
- Fairness toward all—without bias toward friends, family, or political groups
To love honor is to love justice itself.
Lessons from History: Death Before Dishonor
Those who genuinely cherish their honor are willing to sacrifice even their lives to protect it.
History gives us countless examples: Japanese warriors, for instance, would rather die than surrender. They chose death over the humiliation of capture because to them, death with honor was better than life in disgrace.
This is the true value of honor—it is something to be preserved at all costs.
Respecting the Honor of Others
Leaders, too, must understand that everyone possesses honor. Beyond protecting your own, you must also respect the honor of others. Only then can people live peacefully together. Never treat honor lightly, and never allow anyone to trample on it.
There is an old saying:
“A man’s honor lies within his chest—he may be killed, but never humiliated.”
This is a timeless truth. Everyone has honor, just as you do. Do not belittle or look down on others, for they, too, hold their dignity dear.
Conclusion: Living with Honor
If you live by this principle, you will not only be a good person—you will also win the hearts of others.
Honor cannot be bought. It is built through consistent integrity, fairness, and truthfulness. Protect it, respect the honor of others, and you will carry a treasure more valuable than wealth or power.
What does honor mean to you in daily life? Have you ever faced a situation where you had to protect your integrity? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments—I’d love to hear them.
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