The Fundamental Importance of Honesty

     Honesty is a fundamental principle that is vitally important in all human endeavors. Honesty is the cornerstone of trust and without trust no beneficial relationships are possible among equals.

     “Honesty is simply the recognition that reality is real.” Ayn Rand. To borrow Aristotle’s language, A is A. A does not become non-A because we refuse to acknowledge it. 2 + 2 is 4, no matter how many people can be conned into believing its 5.

     When you decide to deliberately fake reality, when you pretend that an A is a non-A because you believe you might derive some benefit from it, you become a dependent on those who you have succeeded in fooling. You must now go to bed each night hoping and praying that they, your victims, never get wise to your scheme.

     To live honestly is to live independently and with integrity. As Jesus once famously said when facing the temptations during his time in the desert, “for what doth it profit a man to inherit the world at the cost of his own soul…?”

     Something to consider when you are tempted to try to alter the facts of reality. What is a clear conscience worth to you?

Thanks for taking the time to consider these ideas and always remember, your work is your signature. What do you want to say with yours?

Glenn Howard Weidman