Honor
‹ 5 · Outline · 7 ›
6.Word, oath and faith as points of honor
6a.Keeping one's word at any cost
See also: Chivalry 4a
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 46Cleaving to one's word for a lifetime.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 331He says only his honour and oath keep him silent.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 128–129He supported the cause as bound in honour to Pompey's recommendation.read · scan
- p. 161Honour outweighed fear when he joined Pompey, repaying Pompey's earlier support.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 248She appeals to a king's inviolable word and the wrong done to a plighted suitor.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 345–346Pompey refuses Menas's offer to seize the empire, saying he does not break his word.read · scan
- p. 349Phraates recalls Monacses on his word and honor for safety, while Antony plans deception.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 34–36Finn swears on his honor to honor the Danes and to govern them nobly, and to punish any Frisian who taunts them.read · scan
The Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelVol. 49
- p. 246–247Mac cecht offers safeguard on the truth of his honour; Ingcel wins kingship for triumph over a king.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 228–229She appeals to the Khalifeh's noble origin and bids him keep his promised beneficence.read · scan
- p. 373–374The Sultan gives his royal word, kept in kindness though he doubts the Wezir can outdo the gift.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 374–377Hogni refuses to break sworn oaths and troth to Sigurd despite the lure of wealth; oath-keeping as honorable conductread · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 262Volsung says breaking troth would shame them and that it is seemly to hold truly to troth given.read · scan
- p. 325–326Gunnar fears the measureless shame of losing his wife and is torn between oath to Sigurd and Brynhild's demand.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 54Prisoners freed on their pledged word of faith and truth to return with ransoms.read · scan
- p. 56Prisoners trusted on their faith and troth.read · scan
- p. 94–95Lindsay keeps his word to Redman and accepts capture with knightly composure.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 153–155Sheriff's oath binds him to help Robin's men; Robin trusts the knight as 'true and trusty'.read · scan
- p. 163–165Robin's generosity and word: 'by my troth thou shalt none fail'.read · scan
- p. 168–170The knight avows his deeds as a true knight and refuses to yield his outlaw guests.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 190–191The courier says giving up the goblet would be against his honour.read · scan
- p. 208–209Cellini keeps his parole rather than escape, preferring to lose his life than break his promise to the castellan.read · scan
- p. 209Cellini refuses the friar's sophistries, saying a man, unlike a monk, must keep his word in all circumstances.read · scan
- p. 209–210Cellini, called ungrateful and disloyal, protests he never broke faith and would defend his word at peril of his life.read · scan
- p. 210–212He feels bound to the castellan only while trusted, who tells the truth and shields the registrar.read · scan
- p. 214–215Cellini appeals to the word he gave and his unbetrayed trust as grounds for kinder treatment.read · scan
- p. 223–224The castellan insists Cellini broke his parole, and the Pope brags of his own youthful escape.read · scan
- p. 328–329The King swears upon his honour to scold Cellini.read · scan
- p. 339Cellini declines the Duke's offer of service because his honour will not permit it until the King's works are finished.read · scan
- p. 341He praises the King's generosity and ignores the Duke's disparagement of it, though the Duke writhes at his loyalty.read · scan
- p. 343–344He rests his petition on his promised achievement rather than on words or writings, trusting the Duke to remember his engagement.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 39–40Paré refuses foreign service and offers of reward, loyal to his own country despite anger and threats.read · scan
- p. 41The governor swears by the faith of a gentleman to keep his promise of release.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 176The Cimaroons' fidelity to their captain, pledged by hand and oath.read · scan
- p. 177The Spanish captain promises courtesy on a gentleman soldier's word; Drake answers for the honour of his Queen.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 125Quixote asks Sancho's secrecy because he cannot abide taking away anybody's honour, and keeps faith with Dulcinea.read · scan
- p. 134Quixote swears by his honour and the laws of knighthood, which forbid attacking those not knighted except in necessity.read · scan
- p. 268–269He swears by the faith of a gentleman and Christian to champion her, leaving his own injuries to Heaven.read · scan
- p. 399He claims Christians keep their word better than Moors, and vows to serve her until death.read · scan
- p. 442Quixote refrains from a new adventure as dishonourable before installing Micomicona, bound by his knightly word.read · scan
- p. 485–486Release is granted on the knight's promised faith and word, which binds him not to depart.read · scan
Captain Walter Bigges, Drake's Great ArmadaVol. 33
- p. 236–237The captains offer to engage their credits as assurance of safe passage, and Drake is called noble and merciful.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 39–41Kent offers his honour as hostage for his truth; Mortimer trusts Plantagenet's word.read · scan
- p. 43Arundel and Pembroke pledge their honour for Gaveston's return; Mortimer honours Arundel's offer.read · scan
- p. 43–47Pembroke gives his oath to return the prisoner; Mortimer says return him on your honour.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 336–339Banquo will accept advancement only if he keeps allegiance clear and loses no honour.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 518–520Eyre swears by his honour that only the king shall wrong Hans.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 850–852The watching lords disbelieve the Cardinal's cries, having promised on their honours not to come.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 890–892Lovell pledges his untainted war-won name and word to Allworth, whose trust in a lord's bare word contrasts with courtiers' oaths.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 400Glory or pride in appearing not to need to break one's word is a rare generosity.read · scan
Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to ConquerVol. 18
- p. 258–259Sir Charles pledges his life and honour on his son's truth.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 339–340Tellheim pledges upon his honour to borrow only from Werner when in need.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 313–315Egmont asserts his true loyalty to the king against those who serve only themselves, and surrenders a sword used in the king's cause.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 200–202Word of honour given; her bosom burns with honour's glow; titles are empty showread · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 461–462Rudenz pledges his knightly oath and repents the error of his youth.read · scan
Sir Walter Scott, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 752–753Dundee's loyalty to his king and cause gives him a proud reputation.read · scan
- p. 754–755Toast drinks to honor and faith for the wandering king.read · scan
The Mecklenburg Declaration of IndependenceVol. 43
- p. 156Pledges lives, fortunes and most sacred honor.read · scan
The Declaration of IndependenceVol. 43
- p. 153–155Signers pledge lives, fortunes and sacred honor to each other.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 76The girl keeps her promise not to be ashamed of the strange women, seating them at her wedding table despite their looks.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 917Loyalty at the cost of everything is remembered on his epitaph.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 373–374Being king of one's word is the English pride; 'honor-bright' and the gentleman defined by truth.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Twenty-Four Years AfterVol. 23
- p. 404–405Prisoners are offered a parole of honor not to serve in the Union army or navy; none joined the enemy.read · scan
6b.Breach of troth as infamy
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 27–28Loss of credibility through repeated deception.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 412Turnus offers himself to atone for the breach of truce; Aeneas seeks glory.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 171Shame at breaking a sworn truce hinders the Volscians until the Romans give a pretext.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 213Ibrahim, touched with shame, excuses himself for breaking his vow, saying she pressed him.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 391–394Oaths sworn and broken; the murder of Sigurd as oath-breaking that will weigh on the Giukings' soulsread · scan
- p. 394–395Sigurd kept his vows and laid the sword between them, while the Niblungs broke oaths in slaying himread · scan
- p. 412–414Atli's oath-breaking to Gunnar is denounced; oaths sworn by sun and ring are violated.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 116–117Ganelon, the perjured felon, deceives Charlemagne with a false report of Marsil's submission, betraying his lord's trust.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 166–168Robin accuses the sheriff of treason and broken faith after inviting him to the game; the knight welcomes Robin in gratitude.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 123–124The Pope wants the sealed-box arrangement to preserve his own honour; Cellini wants to test what a Pope's word is worth.read · scan
- p. 195Cellini denounces Rosso's shameless ingratitude after saving him from murder and starvation, and repays his slander with bitterness.read · scan
- p. 226–227The Pope feels shame at breaking his word yet says let the world say what it chooses.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 20The King's displeasure and threat of hanging over the groom's breach of secrecy show loyalty and trust at court.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 243–244Don Fernando is accused of keeping his promised faith ill, betraying his word.read · scan
- p. 401Ransomed captives often break promises of returning for their companions.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 8–9No vice covers a man with shame so much as being found false and perfidious.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 50Arundel's pledge upon his name of honour was denied; Warwick's breach is called treason.read · scan
Pierre Corneille, PolyeucteVol. 26
- p. 90–93Polyeucte trusts the general's honour and says he would not stain it by treachery.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 317Those without faith, honour or truth are deceitful in heart and speech.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 114A lie is the utmost disgrace and incompatible with the name of a gentleman.read · scan
Robert Burns, Poems and SongsVol. 6
- p. 196–198He accuses her of a heart lost to honour and truth.read · scan
- p. 347–349He would accept dishonour and exile from pleasure if he deceived her.read · scan
- p. 354–356He swears he would be a villain if he ever disgraced his benefactor's bounty.read · scan
- p. 524–526Ballad jibes at cowardice and lost honesty among the partisans of the earl.read · scan
- p. 547–549Election satire sells the reputations, conscience and worth of local gentry, exposing their lost honour and truth.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 448–449Gessler invokes his knightly word to spare Tell's life while circumventing its spirit.read · scan
Sir Walter Scott, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 742–744The betrayer of a maiden is cursed to lie unburied in battle, with shame and dishonour at his grave forever.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 145The general pledged his word of honour to the Governor, then left the city to lead the rebels.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 986Arthur charges Bedivere with unknightly, traitor-hearted conduct.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1067–1069Poet's desertion of the cause for silver and a ribbon is shame and betrayal.read · scan
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1161–1162Traitors Athole and Stuart betray the king at his table while he trusts them.read · scan
- p. 1165–1166The chamberlain sold his lord and shares the cup of trust falsely.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 362–363Rebel broken oath to break the right, as earlier oath to support the Constitution.read · scan
- p. 410Rebel general order protecting private property is mocked against actual pillage; Rebeldom's talk of honor scorned.read · scan
6c.Honor in debt, honesty and plain dealing
See also: Wealth 9e
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 698The otter and jackal call out three times to find an owner before taking food, showing scrupulousness.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 52–54He preserved his integrity unspotted through long command despite great power.read · scan
- p. 60–61He refused large bribes from hostages and Pissuthnes.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 222Cicero's disinterestedness in taking no fees or gifts wins admiration.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 106They call perseverance in paying gambling debts honour.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 252–253Honour binds Pliny and his co-heir as strongly as legal compulsion binds others, so they honour the will.read · scan
- p. 260–261Pliny refuses a secret arrangement because it is inconsistent with his character to seem to act one way and act another.read · scan
- p. 304–305Pliny insists on what is worthy of his character in refusing extra payment.read · scan
- p. 317A man of honour should follow strict equity in domestic as in public conduct, in small matters as great.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 429–430Baba Mustafa fears being asked to act against conscience or honour, and Marjaneh assures him she would not.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 161–163The knight keeps his day and repays his debt; Robin refuses payment twice and welcomes his courtesy and truth.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 62–63Luigi tearfully professes gratitude and vows to repay his benefactor if fortune allows.read · scan
- p. 108Cellini restores the Pope's gems and clears suspicion; the Pope tells him to remain the honest man he is known to be.read · scan
- p. 189–190Cellini declines a gift of horses from a stranger, since he could give no specimen of his craft in return.read · scan
- p. 298Cellini refuses the gold crowns, then accepts under compulsion; the Cardinal offers future service.read · scan
- p. 311Rival's claim that all men push their affairs is answered by Cellini's appeal to rational conduct and right.read · scan
- p. 311–312Bologna replies that a man acting honestly has nothing to fear; Cellini agrees but warns him.read · scan
- p. 388–389He refuses the commission to protect his credit and show he is not avaricious.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 303–304Chooses poverty over reproach, and pledges honour and service to his patrons.read · scan
- p. 307Says the way of deceit is not the way of honour, and that he served queen and country.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 119–120Plain dealing in refusing suits and claiming no undeserved thanks has become honorable and gracious.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 226–227Edmund appeals to Gloucester's honour and the son's obedience to delay his anger.read · scan
- p. 303–304Edmund swears by his honour; Albany says he cannot be valiant where he cannot be honest.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 911Lovell refuses gains unjustly extorted, valuing fame and credit; Overreach promises to keep his reputation unstained.read · scan
- p. 919They recognize they have no credit to lose while Wellborn's testimony now counts.read · scan
John Milton, Samson AgonistesVol. 4
- p. 415Samson vows nothing dishonourable or unworthy of his God, law, nation or himself.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 43Ventidius refuses Cleopatra's jewels, proud of honest poverty and unbribable faith.read · scan
- p. 54–55Ventidius's blunt honesty, never flattering Antony in any vice, earns respect and awe.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 176The gamester fills his pockets at the cost of his reputation.read · scan
William Penn, More Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 389–390Servant should be more tender of master's honor than of own profit.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 10–11The boys' stolen-stones wharf teaches him that nothing is useful which is not honest.read · scan
- p. 58–59His industry brings him character and credit among neighbors and merchants.read · scan
- p. 63–64He guards his credit and character as a tradesman by avoiding any appearance of idleness.read · scan
- p. 97–98Reputation for punctual, clear accounting is the best recommendation to new employment.read · scan
- p. 132Franklin's bond answers owners' distrust of Braddock's promise; refusal would bring suspicion on their loyalty.read · scan
Samuel Johnson, Life of Addison, 1672-1719Vol. 27
- p. 166–167Addison sends Cato out undedicated, bound by duty to one patron and honour to another.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 563A fair, open, avowed bankruptcy is least dishonourable to the debtor state.read · scan
- p. 563A state's honour is poorly served when it covers the disgrace of real bankruptcy with a transparent and pernicious trick.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 305–306Both act with scrupulous honour about debts and generosity.read · scan
- p. 307–308Tellheim refuses to owe anything and Just insists on loyal service, both acting from pride and a sense of obligation.read · scan
- p. 324–325Tellheim, wretched, will not let the woman he loves share his misfortune.read · scan
- p. 334–335Tellheim's pride makes him refuse Werner's money and pawn his property instead.read · scan
- p. 337–338Tellheim insists it is not proper to be a debtor; Werner calls this a silly notion of nobility.read · scan
- p. 338–339Werner hopes to die like an honest fellow with Tellheim; Tellheim's pride in refusing aid.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 172–173Charles hopes never deliberately to act dishonourably, while Sir Peter trusts his honour; Joseph's honour is implicitly compromised.read · scan
George Washington, Washington's First Inaugural AddressVol. 43
- p. 227–228He renounces personal pay as president, as he had in the war, for the public good.read · scan
George Washington, Washington's Farewell AddressVol. 43
- p. 246Honesty is the best policy in public as in private affairs; engagements must be observed in good faith.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 249Renzo insists he is an honest man and resents the affront put upon him.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 210Fox pays a debt of honor to Sheridan before a tradesman's note, and the tradesman converts his own debt into one of honor.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 393Paying their debts is the national point of honor.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 255Dana observes that habitual petty frauds, like dumping ballast against port rules, breed indifference to the rights of others, though the sailor is not accountable.read · scan
James Russell Lowell, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1374–1376Will, conscience, honor, honesty all bear Caesar's superscription; sold.read · scan
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