There can be no justice where there is no truth.1
There are few maxims truer and more relevant to our daily lives than those words. The foundation of morality, Frank Herbert’s Duke Leto suggests, is almost exclusively honesty. But it is less saying what one feels to be true as that one’s opinions and words correspond with reality.
Most of the hurt we cause others is caused because we do not see the extent of the hurt, but insist that it is far less severe than it is. Also, we find ways of justifying ourselves: “I have to be happy”, “this will make the world a better place” and such arguments are the most common excuses for causing needless suffering.
Really, when we judge the quality of a human’s capacity for morality, we should judge first and foremost their capacity for honesty. For honesty is a major part of bravery: bravery seems to me learned most when one turns oneself over for what one knows one has done wrong. In fact, the public admission of one’s mistakes is the only indication one is in any position to make up for those mistakes. Those who conceal their mistakes are generally not to be trusted. Their interest is in getting away with their mistakes by and large.
And those who keep many secrets are also to be suspected. The constant keeping of secrets is a sign that one has too little respect for the value of information for others.
Your sins go on being sins and staining yourself and the world so long as you refuse to admit to them and seek to make amends.
- Strongarm : The Advent Of The Miracle : Supplication↩