Ethics, integrity and good sleep
Ethics is defined as “the discipline concerned with what is morally good or bad, right or wrong, black or white.” It is the moral principle that govern a person’s behavior based on his values, conscience. We all like to be ethical, known to have integrity and be trustworthy. Who wouldn’t? Ethics is important so that what you say is believed in and is credible. When you say something or promise, do people, even your children or grandchildren, believe you, or take it with a grain of salt? Do you always tell the truth and deliver on what you promise? A good standard is “under promise and over deliver“especially when there are dependencies beyond your control. There is a general feeling that ethics, defined as black or white, right or wrong, is now getting to be blurry or sometimes gray.
As a special project, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) Ethics Committee headed by Chair Zondy Garcia and Liaison Director Sherisa Nuesa, is coming out next month with the book “Ethics: Black, White (or Gray?)” in time for its 50th anniversary. Each article is a discourse on the importance of ethics in business and in national development. Common topics are conflict of interest issues, related party interest issues, sense of propriety,
delicadeza and personal experiences of the writers. The contributors are as varied as can be. From banking (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. and Bankers Association of the Philippines President Nestor Tan), to the academe (Miriam College president Charito Lapus), to social enterprise (Chit Juan), to agriculture (Former Secretary William Dar), to digital technology (Amihan’s Winston Damarillo & FINTQ Lito Villanueva), among others. Our sincere thanks to Gov. Nesting’s full support, for not only contributing an article but having the book launch at BSP!
I recall my grandmother’s story. She was businesswoman from Malabon. She sold Jusi and her business was doing very well but for every kilo she sold, she took one gram less. One night she had a dream and saw birds perched on a rope. When she moved the rope, the birds flew away. For some reason, she interpreted the rope movement to her taking one gram less per kilo, which is really simply put, cheating. Convicted by her conscience, the next day, she decided to add 2 grams for every kilo she sold. It turned out that one of her customers was already suspicious of her and weighed her sale. When the customer saw it was over in weight, she announced this to everyone. Thus, Lola’s sales doubled and prospered even more. She taught us the lesson that “honesty is the best policy.” The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor in him (Proverbs 11:1).
It is very important that parents teach their children the value of integrity and of honesty. Our son Ted studying at San Agustin grade school told this story later in his life. At a school festival, he slipped in to ride and not pay the Ferris wheel entrance fee of P5.00 at that time. He said as a consequence of his act his eyeglasses broke which cost P35.00 to repair. His cheating of not paying the fee cost him seven times more. He learned his lesson at a young age.
My father Benjamin Gozon was the Director of Mines when I was growing up. I remember the newspaper headlines at that time of Harry Stonehill about bribery and corruption. Many government officials were named. He said sleep was very important to him and he narrated that Stonehill offered him money which he graciously refused — thus he is sleeping soundly. Truly, a “clear conscience is the softest pillow.”
Let’s all live a life of integrity and be trustworthy. Let’s do the right things right. And have peaceful sleep every night.