Single Idea 23673

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / e. Honour]

Full Idea

I presume it will be granted, that, in every man of real worth, there is a principle of honour, a regard to what is honourable or dishonourable, very distinct from a regard to his interest.

Gist of Idea

Every worthy man has a principle of honour, and knows what is honourable

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 3: Princs of action [1788], 5)

Book Reference

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.315


A Reaction

Note that there is a 'principle' of honour in a person's character, and there are also actions which are intrinsically honourable or not. I fear that only the worthy are honourable, and only the honourable are worthy!