Why be honest, especially in context of public service?
There are different arguments for being honest. I critically analyse each of them below :
- Foundation for TRUST in any relationship: private or public "If you want to be trusted, be honest."
- To sleep peacefully : When we adjudicate our duties in an honest and impartial manner we are able to sleep peacefully without any baggage.
- However, experience shows that such assumption can be highly misplaced. Actor Manoj Bajpayee starer Shool(1999) movie aptly displays how hellish lives of honest officer can become in one's fight against a system that is deep rotten. It would be no exaggeration to say that in being honest one can even lose away life let alone night's sleep(read Satyendra Dubey).
- Therefore, to me, doing honesty for getting a good night sleep seems highly selfish and can frustrate us in very short tenure. And so, "mad" men like Dubey clearly upholds honesty for something higher than good night sleep.
- To uphold the someone's trust : True public servants gain seats of power through hardwork(be it exam or election) but the power bestowed to them comes with some expectation and in no way grants license for self aggrandizement. Public officials enjoy considerable discretionary powers while discharging their duties. It becomes essential that such officials act with full honesty and impartiality.
- This is also true in personal relationships. One cannot expect to be loved/respected by their family/friend when one is not true to them in first place. We can run our imagination and see what a society will be like where trust has no place. Chaos and uncertainty would quickly overtake the stability and peace in our society . No wonder why breaking trust is then treated as criminal offence(Prevention of Corruption Act, Adultery law-section 497 IPC).
- To uphold Self Conscience : It is said "There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience." It's hard do something throughout lifetime without our gut feeling being aligned to it. So unless, one's conscience tells to be honest I don't see why one will lose any opportunity to cheat at slightest of opportunity. Conscience act as self imposed barrier against dishonest deeds. However, listening to our conscience and acting towards it, is not an easy task. We tend to easily ignore the inner voice and rationalize the dishonest deeds. For example, I am not taking bribe for my pleasure it's for betterment of my family. Everyone takes bribe so why should I be exception. I have not demanded bribe, s/he offered it on their own etc etc.
There are of course other moral reasoning to support an honest conduct e.g.
Principle of Reciprocity i.e. treat others as you want to be treated by others. But I have tried to argue on practical lines. Hope it helps you in your quest to lead an honest life.
Please also provide your reasoning(s), if not mentioned above as to why would you want to be honest?
