“An honest man is the noblest work of God.”
–Robert Burns
Honesty is one of the most important character traits a person can have, and there was a time when it was generally assumed that all but a few people were honest. There is no way of knowing whether that assumption was ever correct, but it is an assumption that many of us can no longer make. Whether people have become less honest over time or whether our perception has just changed is open to debate, but there is no question that the world could certainly use a lot more honest men and women.
I prefer to assume people are honest until they prove otherwise, but sometimes we can’t afford to go even that far. When we are dealing with strangers we must always remember that there is a possibility that they might not only be dishonest, but even dangerous. Although I tend to think that the majority of people are good and honest, I recognize that a significant number of people do not fit this category. We are shocked every week by news reports of crime, especially violent crime, but we must remember that, generally, good deeds do not make the news, so we are getting a distorted picture of society if we focus too heavily on news stories.
Why should we practice honesty? First of all, we should strive to be honest because it is the right thing to do. Secondly, we are all role models for someone and our honesty may help to promote honesty in others. But there are many other reasons. Our society will crumble if we ever reach the point where the majority of the people are dishonest. There is probably little we can do to make other people honest, but we can and must assume responsibility for our own honesty. Finally, I don’t believe that anyone can find true long-term happiness unless he or she has a clear conscience. Some people, who are basically honest, but who have been dishonest on one or more occasions, agonize for years over their misdeeds and often take their painful secrets with them to their graves. None of us should ever allow this to happen to us. We are all human, and we all make mistakes. If we have slipped up, we need to acknowledge our mistakes and try to make amends. Having done so we must forgive ourselves, knowing that God has also forgiven us, and get on with our lives.
An honest man is indeed a noble work of God. We are all born with the potential to be honest, and it is up to each of us to make sure we live up to that potential.
Think about it.
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Copyright 2024
Allen W. Smith
