HONOUR, a testimony of esteem or submission, expressed by words, actions, and an exterior behaviour, by which we make known the veneration and respect we entertain for any one on account of his dignity or merit. The word honour is also used in general for the esteem due to virtue, glory, and reputa-
tion. It is also used for virtue and probity themselves, and for an exactness in performing whatever we have promised; and in this last sense we use the term, a man of honour. But honour is more particularly applied to two different kinds of virtue; bravery in men, and chastity in women.—Virtue and Honour were deified among the ancient Greeks and Romans, and had a joint temple consecrated to them at Rome: but afterwards each of them had separate temples, which were so placed, that no one could enter the temple of Honour, without passing through that of Virtue; by which the Romans were continually put in mind, that virtue is the only direct path to true glory. Plutarch tells us, that the Romans, contrary to their usual custom, sacrificed to Honour uncovered; perhaps to denote, that wherever honour is, it wants no covering, but shews itself openly to the world.