the meaning of honor
the word honor is often associated with admirable career success, brilliant academic achievement, great social contribution and high position.
when speaking of honor, one has images like yang li-wei, jackie chen or learned scholars like the honorable judges here. it is true that these people are worthy of admiration. but how about those who are around us, who contributes to the society in different ways, completing their everyday task with devotions but remain unknown? are they far from honor? should they only clap hands for the people on the stage? shouldn’t they also deserve respect from us? i don’t think so.
honor wears different coats to different eyes. i would like to take miss zhang, a primary school teacher, for example. she has been teaching english for more than 30 years. countless students have learnt the first english letter from her and become interested in this language because of her enlightenment. so many years have passed and miss zhang is still an ordinary primary school teacher without any prize, flowers or honorable titles but in my eyes she is the very person who deserve honor and respect. every time i stand on the winner’s box, i couldn’t help thinking of miss zhang. i owe my success in english and my gratitude to her.
just as alexander pope said: act well your part, there all honor lies. honor can be found in our every day life and belongs to you, to me and to every ordinary person.
