There is a danger in recognizing, as we did yesterday, that true honor—adherence to what is right—has little concern for the opinions of others.  The danger is that it could cause us to regard the Honor Code as a purely personal, even private matter.  But an honor code belongs to and is lived out in community—and our responsibility under it is not merely or even primarily to ourselves.

One of the most famous honor codes is that of West Point Military Academy, which reads simply:

“A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”

A Cadet at West Point is expected not only to conform his own conduct to the code, but to ensure that his fellow Cadets do as well.  He is responsible for making them better, as well as himself.

CCA’s Honor Code does not include the same language about not tolerating violations, but it—like all honor codes—embraces that same spirit.  Part of being honest is confronting dishonesty; upright conduct does not tolerate viciousness; diligent study encourages the slothful; dutiful service includes serving your classmates; and joy in the face of difficulty is an example for them to imitate.

The Roman philosopher, Seneca, said, “Happy is the man who can make others better, not merely when he is in their company, but even when he is in their thoughts.”

The truest test of a CCA student is not just whether he adheres to the Honor Code, but whether he helps others to do so as well.