American Virtue

American Morality—Honesty

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Introduction: moral values in America are like those in any culture. In fact, many aspects of morality are universal. But the stories and traditions that teach them are unique to each culture. Not only that, but culture influences how people show these virtues. Today we will talk about one of the American morality – honesty. What do Americans think about honesty and how do they behave in daily life.

1. WHAT IS HONESTY?

One way honesty is defined is "not lying, not cheating, not stealing". Stealing is against the law. To protect the personal property of others, those who steal can be tried in the courts. If found guilty, they can be put in jail. Cheating can carry a stiff penalty too. If a student cheats on a test, he or she can fail a course or be suspended from school.

Lying can be dangerous also. Many times we lie with the best of reasons. We do not want to hurt someone's feelings when they ask for our opinion. Or we lie about something that doesn't really matter to anyone but us. Sometimes a woman wants to seem young and doesn't want to tell her real age. But lying about something important can be a very different matter. If someone lies to the police to protect a friend, they are committing a crime. When someone does it in court it is called perjury. Perjury is telling a lie when you are sworn to tell the truth. Someone who commits perjury can be put in jail by a judge.

Other definitions of honesty include "not taking unfair advantage" and "being honorable." There are other ideas about honesty that are not in the dictionary. Being honest with yourself, and being honest with other people are important for getting along in this world. We will talk about all of these things. You will see how they are important to Americans.

Unlike other personal values, honesty is sometimes a matter of legal as well as personal importance. Compassion (caring about other people and what happens to them), for example, is important in understanding and getting along with others. But no one goes to jail for not having compassion. Lack of honesty, however, is a serious matter.

2. TRUTH AND HONESTY

2.1 Two Great Men in America

What does it mean to be honest? One way to be an honest person is to tell the truth. A popular story American school children learn is about America's first president, George Washington. No one knows if this is true story. But it is certainly a story about truth.

One day young George Washington's father was very angry. A young cherry tree he had planted had been chopped down.

"How did this happen?" he demanded. "Who would destroy this beautiful young tree? Do you know who did this, George?"

"I did, Father. I cannot tell a lie. I chopped it down with my new axe. " Instead of punishment, George received praise for telling the truth.

This story has appeared in books for children for many years after George Washington's death. Americans call it a legend. It is a story that had been told and retold many times. We could also call it a "tall tale". A tall tale tells us that something might be true by stretching the truth. Legends and tales are untrue, because they explain what is true. This story reminds us that George Washington was a great honest man.

Another great American, Abraham Lincoln, was called "Honest Abe". He was known to be frank and fair, open and upright in all his dealings with people. Frank and open and upright are listed in the definition of "honesty" in some dictionaries. This is how a great American president got his nickname.

2.2 Facts and Opinions

Does an honest person always tell the truth? That is a hard question to answer. Sometimes telling the truth can be painful or harmful to someone else. In a case like this, a person must be very thoughtful and careful. A doctor may have to think very long and hard before telling a patient, or a patient's family, some bad news.

Sometimes truth and honesty can be the difference between stating a fact and expressing an opinion. Your opinion is honest if you are saying something that you may believe. But fact is true