A widely publicized comment by a well-known politician that honesty is not an issue in elections because all politicians are liars, has elicited a lot of reactions, publicly and privately expressed. And so, should we all react in disagreement to this trivialization of honesty. As a virtue, honesty is so intrinsically important and basic in every aspect of our lives.
One useful definition of honesty, expressed as a personal code of conduct, is: “I shall not lie, cheat or steal.” That’s as good, clear and simple a guideline as can be. And why is honesty important?
In relationships, family or business or political or whatever, if you are dishonest or known to be dishonest, you cannot be trusted. You have no credibility. So how can I deal with you with any reasonable assurance that I can rely on your promise or representation or commitment?
Honesty is the foundation of trust. And trust is the foundation of any meaningful relationship.
And trust must be absolute. For example, will you trust yourself to ride a boat that almost floats? Or a parachute that will almost open? No, I don’t think so. You want a boat that will absolutely float, and a parachute that will absolutely open.
In business, would you enter into a business partnership with someone you do not absolutely trust? Would you keep an employee who is not absolutely honest with you? Who is honest sometimes, but not all the time?
In politics, how can you rely on a politician’s promises to serve you well if you cannot trust him, because he is dishonest? But, you might say, how can you demand absolute trust from anyone? You’re asking the impossible! But, really?
Let me share an exhortation I have applied on myself. This was written by me to accompany an Honesty Campaign I launched as a Rotary Club of Manila project at the height of the euphoria over the Edsa 1 Revolution that ended a most dishonest government regime. It was a project other Rotary Clubs could copy without much cost. I said:
BE HONEST
Even if others are not.
Even if others cannot.
Even if others will not.
A Reminder from the Rotary Club of Manila
I was then president of United Pulp and Paper Co. that
produced brown paper for cement bags. We had some paper retazos we could
spare for use as paper posters. Printing the honesty message would cost
minimally. We produced many of these posters which were displayed everywhere by
Rotary Clubs who joined the project. The message was posted on company
premises, stores, palengkes, airports, government offices,
transportation terminals and other public places. The wife of a Rotarian, in
one of those honesty campaign forums, announced she had the honesty poster
framed in their bedroom, as a reminder to her husband (And to her too,
I suppose.)
The campaign faded out of public attention but, most commendably, it is the brotherhood of Christian businessmen and professionals, through Bobby Laviña of Phinma, that has taken up the challenge to continue the campaign in several novel ways. God bless them.
It is time to renew this honesty campaign. And perhaps the Rotary Club of Manila, on its 100th anniversary this year 2019, can take the initiative. But, really, this is everybody’s project, Any takers?