Honesty

Honesty is one of the Eight Virtues of Britannia.

Description
Honesty, founded upon the principle of Truth, is scrupulous respect for truth - the willingness never to deceive oneself or another. It is the pursuit of truthfulness, with respect to oneself and with respect to other beings. Honesty and the quest for truth is taught by the mages of Moonglow - indeed, furthing themselves in this particular virtue does improve their magical powers significantly - and all of them swear the oath of Honesty before starting their profession.

The Shrine of Honesty is situated on the lonely Dagger Isle, north of Verity Isle.

Honesty through the Ages
Various messages throughout the ages, given by the shrine or the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, show how Honesty does apply to the lives of people.

Ultima IV
Meditating at the Shrine of Honesty will give these insights:
 * "Take not the gold of others found in towns and castles for yours it is not!"
 * "Cheat not the merchants and peddlers for tis an evil thing to do!"

Ultima V
Quest form the shrine: "'Tis now thy sacred Quest to go unto the Codex and learn the failing of Dishonesty!"

Answer from the Codex: "A dishonest life brings unto thee temporary gain, but forsakes the permanent."

Ultima VI
Wisdom of the shrine: "Whatsoever things are true... Whatsoever things are honest... If there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Blackthorn's law
During Blackthorn's tyranny, Honesty was twisted and turned into a draconian law: "Thou shalt not lie, or thou shalt lose thy tongue."

Trivia

 * The virtue of Honesty was one of the main reasons why many mages from Moon left for the Serpent Isle, as they refused to take the oath of Honesty. This not only was due to their belief that magic was based on illusion - thus being contrary to Honesty - but also the fact, that said oath would have ended them lording over others in their belief of magical superiority.