Posted by A paladin on August 7, 2000 at 10:20:22:
In Reply to: I'll break it down for you posted by Imbrogno on August 7, 2000 at 09:50:19:
> Respect tr.v -spected, -specting, -spects. 1. To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem. 2. To avoid violation of or interference with: as in "respect the law" > Now then, the paladin code states: > 7. Be fair of speech and actions. > Number 8 should be blatantly obvious. If you're asked a question you should not lie. If you want to tell Aes Sedai truths that's your perogative but no lie should cross your lips. Lying would include, but is not limited to, open denial when questioned about breaking the law. > Number 9 should also be obvious, but apparently it's not. The first part of the definition above shows that you should put the law above yourself. The second part is even more clear cut, especially since the context of that part and the context in the paladin's code are EXACTLY the same. You try to AVOID breaking the law. This does not mean you can never break the law(unless you're lawful in which case you should never break it), it just means that if there's a way around breaking the law you should take that route. You should NOT INTERFERE with the law. This comes into play when you're being questioned about a crime, whether you committed or not. If you're asked if you committed a crime you should not tell a lie. You can dance around the question, but you can only dance so far before you step beyond the gray and into a lie.
> 8. Never lie; be true to your word.
> 9. Respect the laws of the land and those that seek to enforce them.