More Than Ever, Today We Need to Observe Chivalry’s Commandment: “Never Lie!”

March 26, 2020

The last commandment of the ancient Code appears to us to be more needed in the observance now. It is: “Do not lie!” Be truthful! I understand by that the feeling of horror of all the finesse, white lies, and petty insincerities, which in so many shades darken the vistas of our lives! Of all things here below Chivalry is most opposed to the “insinuation,” to the shade of untruth! Chivalry would have us meet the daily danger with the most luminous frankness. We should never conceal our badge or banner. If we believe in Christ, let us, like those early martyrs, cry out: “I am a Christian!” Let us, with open brow, and transparent soul, learn, not only how to die for the truth, but learn also, what is much more difficult, how to live in it!

León Gautier, Chivalry, trans. Henry Frith (London: George Routledge and Sons, Ltd., 1891), 499.

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