Jun
Trust without Oaths
One of the most important things is upholding a trust. If you are trusted to do a certain thing, then it is a matter of honor to fulfill it. For example, if a friend trusts you to care for his children for a couple of days, then it is up to you to safeguard them, provide for their needs and try to make it as pleasant an experience for the children as possible.
Certainly, there are those who feel that oaths and promises must be made to uphold the trust. That is not so. A good individual ought to be able to keep trust without an oath. The oath is implied when that person agrees to take on a responsibility. By undertaking the task, the person is stating by implication that he will fulfill all obligations that it requires. Save the oaths for situations where trust is lacking by one or both parties.
A person of great trust needs no oaths, contracts or formal promises. I knew such a person. Last year, in these daily lessons, I had mentioned Old Jim. He was a man who had built a solid reputation. To those who knew him, his handshake was better than a contract.
“Your words are the rope on which you climb or hang.” In matters of trust, your promises are the measure by which your actions are judged. Oaths really do not change anything. An honest man will keep his word whether he makes an oath or not. A vacillating person will waver on his word, even if he takes an oath. A person given to dishonesty will break his word even if he takes the most fearsome oaths.
Words or the lack of them are no excuse for falling short on a trust. Uphold a trust because it is the right thing to do. Let your actions be the proof of your integrity.
