Keeping Your Word

"I've always followed my father's advice he told me, first to always keep my word and, second, to never insult anybody unintentionally... And, third, he told me not to go around looking for trouble." — John Wayne

John Wayne was known for not playing a character part as just being himself. That is, what you saw on the screen was pretty close to the actor's character and values. Readers of Stormbringer's Thunder (as well as friends and acquaintances) know that I'm a fan of Paul Kyriazi's How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle. One thing that Mr. Kyriazi made clear was that a man's word has to be gold. If you make a promise, keep it. Don't make lofty promises that you can't, or won't, live up to. Your word is important, and an integral part of your reputation. Even the Mafia respected someone's reputation, and expected a man to keep his word.

Although these days it's more about honor and respect, in the old days, a man's word was his bond. "I give you my word" and a handshake actually meant something. (Today, get it in writing; even then, the agreement may be negated.) Back in the old west, a man's word was even more important. And if you had a bad reputation, good luck getting anyone to trust you.

Today, each of us should work on our own integrity. Be someone that can be respected. Be honest. Keep your word. I doubt that the days of "giving your word" as a legal contract will ever return, but we can do this for the sake of our own consciences and our reputations among friends and colleagues.