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.