Keeping Your Word
Once there was an honest Roman named Marcus Atilius Regulus, a general in the First Punic Wars. After he lost a battle with the Carthaginians and was captured, he was given a message to take to the Roman senate asking them to surrender. He would be allowed to do this only if he promised to return to Carthage. He took the oath and set sail for Rome. Once he arrived, Regulus encouraged the senate not to surrender to the Carthaginians. Sadly, he bade farewell to his family and friends and returned to Carthage, where he met the miserable death he expected. Refusing to surrender, Rome was able to overcome Carthage and become a dominant power in the Mediterranean.
Regulus is praised for his brilliant leadership of the Roman people and for being true to his word and accepting death rather than being unfaithful and receiving life.
As a result of his action, Regulus is greatly honored. When a person honors his promises and agreements despite personal pain or loss, he is honored in return.
In this anecdote, Regulus conveys the fact that when a man delivers his word, he is expected to keep it, even if it means the loss of his life.
When a person it true to his promises, he is respected and others are more likely to keep their promises to him.
By contrast, if a person is unfaithful to his promises, others learn to avoid him and refuse to make agreements with him, much less stay true to the promises given.
Just as Regulus kept his word to Carthage, so also is it like the relationship of a child toward that of his parents. If the child, like Regulus, acts in a trustworthy manner, the parents, like Carthage, will trust him. Yet when the child lies to his parents, the parents will refuse to trust him.
The day before D-Day, General Eisenhower approached Major James Goodson of the 336 Fighter Squadron and asked him if his men could keep the German planes off the beach. Major Goodson replied he could. Except for two planes that were able to sneak to the beach, Maj. Goodson kept his promise despite the loss of many comrades and was honored for his work.
Aeshylus, the famous Greek playwright, saw the importance of sticking to your promises. Wisely, he stated, "It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath." We should all take heed of this wise teaching.
Having seen the importance of promises, we must all keep them, despite the pain in it. Whenever we give our word, we will be expected to follow through with it.
Regulus is praised for his brilliant leadership of the Roman people and for being true to his word and accepting death rather than being unfaithful and receiving life.
As a result of his action, Regulus is greatly honored. When a person honors his promises and agreements despite personal pain or loss, he is honored in return.
In this anecdote, Regulus conveys the fact that when a man delivers his word, he is expected to keep it, even if it means the loss of his life.
When a person it true to his promises, he is respected and others are more likely to keep their promises to him.
By contrast, if a person is unfaithful to his promises, others learn to avoid him and refuse to make agreements with him, much less stay true to the promises given.
Just as Regulus kept his word to Carthage, so also is it like the relationship of a child toward that of his parents. If the child, like Regulus, acts in a trustworthy manner, the parents, like Carthage, will trust him. Yet when the child lies to his parents, the parents will refuse to trust him.
The day before D-Day, General Eisenhower approached Major James Goodson of the 336 Fighter Squadron and asked him if his men could keep the German planes off the beach. Major Goodson replied he could. Except for two planes that were able to sneak to the beach, Maj. Goodson kept his promise despite the loss of many comrades and was honored for his work.
Aeshylus, the famous Greek playwright, saw the importance of sticking to your promises. Wisely, he stated, "It is not the oath that makes us believe the man, but the man the oath." We should all take heed of this wise teaching.
Having seen the importance of promises, we must all keep them, despite the pain in it. Whenever we give our word, we will be expected to follow through with it.
posted by J. Hunter Quinn at 9:28 AM
4 Comments:
So far in my life the only real promises given to me are what I find in God's Word. The Bible is what I trust in. There have been times when I thought a promise was given but realize it probably was just my imagination. I would like to promise to keep my promises. I may want to be careful what I promise.
What a wise statement by Aeshylus. This is and excellent post. Keep 'em coming!
I agree with jessica. Promises are very uncomfortable subjects. You gave some very good examples Hunter. May I add the best of all of them:
"Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No" -Christ
We should all go by that. However, a promise is something to be kept, and your word is an important part of your character.
Very interesting story Hunter! I really like your blog.
Uncle Chris
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