Upon Gor, some castes command, by their very nature, more formal honor than others, but all castes deserve respect within the confines of their own context in Gorean society. The Caste of Builders is a high caste, and is honored by all for their skill and ability to create lasting and useful works for the use of men. But the Caste of Peasants, though not honored as highly as some, commands great respect, for without the constant agricultural yield provided by those of that caste, many upon Gor would starve. Respect can be a form of honor, thought typically a much less public one. A Warrior honors a high ideal or vaunted personage, but he also respects people and things for their value and importance in the grand scheme of things.
Many Warriors of Gor do not honor the Great Bow and Crossbow, considering them weapons of stealth and cowardice. It is a part of the Gorean culture to admire things which are direct and simple, and this principle applies to personal combat. It also applies to any form of weaponry which removes the user from immediate personal danger during its usage. To remove yourself from danger in such a way and strike your foe from a distance is considered, by the average Gorean, to be an indirect, "sneaky" way of fighting. However, the Warrior who does not respect the killing potential of such weapons, and will not accept their usage in situations which require such things, is not only a fool, he will wind up a dead fool, as will those that follow him.
Dar-Kosis, the Yellow Disease, or "Holy Affliction", is a deadly disease, incurable, which rots the flesh. Although tradition insists that the affliction is a divine one, blessed by Priest Kings, it is in reality a hideous pestilence. Does a Warrior honor such a disease? Of course not ... that is for the Initiates, with their incense and prayers to the Sardar. But does a Gorean Warrior respect Dar-Kosis? Of course ... he respects it enough to avoid areas and pits infested with the disease, lest he become infected! Respect can be a form of honor, but it does not have to be. It is sometimes just another form of good common sense.
A Warrior respects anything that can harm him or his fellows, or is beyond his direct control. He also respects beauty and skill, as well as any talent and ability which requires time and talent to perfect ... the cunning strategic mind of the Master Kaissa Player, the skill of the musician who strums the Kalika, the beautiful and intricate patterns of a delicate tapestry. It takes great skill to throw a spear accurately and far ... it takes no less skill for a belled pleasure slave to dance superbly for her Master's pleasure. While a Free Man might not honor a slave, he can certainly respect her talents and well-tuned slave nature. Indeed, this is why Gorean men take female slaves in the first place; Gorean men respect beauty and desirability so highly that they wish to use, enjoy, and possess it.
A Gorean Warrior respects anything which can substantially effect him, either positively or negatively. He must measure the worth of each thing in his life, each enemy and friend he possesses, and give them the respect in which their importance in his existance earns for them. To do otherwise is foolish. Respect therefore is a system whereby life's every object and occurence can be duelly classified and measured in accordance with a Warrior's fears and desires, and once all is such classified, a Warrior may move through his life prepared, knowing that his respect for each thing of importance to him will guide his actions.
Life & Death - Gorean Pragmatism |
Gold & Steel - Gorean Tactical Thinking | Summation |
