JADB

I am a man

I will never be ashamed or apologetic of that fact, and will attempt to live my life as such as far I am able.

These are the virtues I hold dear:

• Love
• Truth
• Justice
• Strength
• Honour

My definitions

1. Love

   Not the weak vacillating love of Valentine’s Day cards. The strong brightly burning flame that illuminates the darkness of our world, and the heat that drives and the flame that feeds the other virtues I hold dear.

2. Truth

   I will be truthful and honest, to myself, towards those I hold dear and towards the world at large. I will not use truth as an excuse for insensitivity nor as a method towards manipulation; both those ends and all others contrary to the spirit of truth betrays the means.

3. Justice

   In any situation I will act justly and fair. I will listen to criticism and take valid points to heart, other points I will give my full consideration, trying to understand why they had been leveled. I will not get overly defensive and will, a far I am able, consider the consequences of my actions.

4. Strength

   As honour is the underpinning of all and as love is the drive, so strength is the means. Strength is not brutality, and it’s reverse is not tenderness, is not sensitivity, is not civility. In fact, as a man, tenderness, sensitivity and civility is as much a facet of strength as is ferocity, assertiveness and vigour. Strength applies to thought, conviction and will even more than to mere physicality. Without strength, I have not the drive to pursue the virtues I hold to define me.

5. Honour

   I will act honourably towards myself and towards others. This virtue will underpin my understanding of all of the others: for I know that without honour all the others are but pale reflections of themselves. There is no true love, without honour; without honour, truth is but a weapon in the hands of bigots; no justice could exist without honour; and strength without honour is not strength, but brutality.

No excuses

While complete and permanent adherence to the values espoused may be impossible for any man, I will not use that as an excuse for my lack, but rather as my inspiration to try harder, to attempt better, and to expect more of myself.