The Myth of “Honor Among Thieves” – Sunday, May 16, 1943
There is an oft-repeated scene in the drama of human affairs that is played over and over again through the years—a scene that has often been known to move through a sequence something like this: A group of men combine for the accomplishment of certain questionable ends. It may be for the exploitation of some unfair advantage; it may be for the pursuit of unethical political activities; it may be for the swindling of unsuspecting investors; or it may be a conspiracy for the domination of a country, or the perpetration of a war, or the subjugation of a world. Ofttimes the schemers swear themselves to loyalty and secrecy; they combine with promises and oaths and bonds, and then set out upon their way, sometimes to realize a measure of success.
Inevitably, however, sooner or later, something goes wrong. They over play their hands; their victims become sorrier and wiser; the house begins to fall; each one frantically endeavors to extricate himself by sacrificing someone else, and there ensues a climax of mutual distrust, and betrayal. The myth of “honor among thieves” may have some classic examples which would seem to prove it to be true, but for every one such, there are a million to contradict the theory. Fair weather conspirators soon become mortal enemies when the tide of fortune turns and the saving of heads is the order of the day. We have seen much of it and will see yet more of it.
There is not and cannot be any assurance of loyalty where a dishonorable purpose is involved. There are no bonds or oaths or penalties, or secret orders or pledges or threats strong enough to hold any combination of men together for long in any unholy cause, in prosperity or adversity. The only unbreakable bonds in such cases are the bonds of fear and distrust, night and day—a fear that neither rationalization nor barred doors nor bodyguards can shut out. And this all men, both young and old, should remember before they decide to set out upon a questionable course with questionable companions.
By Richard L. Evans, spoken from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, May 16, 1943, over Radio Station KSL and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System. Copyright – 1943.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
May 16, 1943
Broadcast Number 0,717