debt of honor
Owed personal integrity
A debt of honor is an obligation that cannot be legally enforced but carries moral weight.
Gambling debts were the classic example—courts wouldn't collect them, but gentlemen paid or faced social ruin.
The phrase now applies to any commitment where your word is the only collateral: He considered repaying his mentor's kindness a debt of honor.
Binding promise given
- vowSolemn personal commitment
- oathFormal binding promise
- promiseCommitment to act
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
bond · duty · repayment · settlement · restitution · fulfillment · word · guarantee
Moral soundness and consistency
- rectitudeMoral straightness
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
principle · conscience · dignity · reputation · character · shame · code · chivalry
pledge
Binding promise given
commitment · bond · duty · repayment · settlement · restitution · fulfillment · word · guarantee · liability
integrity
Moral soundness and consistency
righteousness · principle · conscience · dignity · reputation · character · shame · code · chivalry · bushido
- moral valuesduty, responsibility, integrity, loyalty, honesty
- magical oathsoath, vow, blood oath, pact, covenant
debt of honorcontractual obligation
Enforceable promise in agreement
legal claim · secured debt · binding contract · secured loan · mortgage
debt of honorclean slate
Record wiped clear
clear conscience · absolution · moral freedom · unburdened · quits
debt, debts, debtor, debtors, indebted, indebtedness, honor, honour, honors