The Difference Between Moral and Honor

Jim West shared this quote for the New Year and it seems too good and appropriate not to share it as well. {Cross posted with engage.shc.psu.edu.}

The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught. — H. L. Mencken

I admit, I am not sure that I completely agree with Mencken’s aphorism, but it certainly is thought provoking. For example, I don’t think, for example that a “moral man” would do the discreditable act in the first place. (OK, so even the most “moral” of us, do them at times, but I think the moral person would also have remorse, otherwise they would not be a “moral” character.)

Any thoughts?

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