Probity on the High Seas: A Lesson from My Past

Good day, dear reader. Today, I want to share a story with you, a tale from my younger days that carries a lesson of probity. This is a word not often used these days, but it’s a concept that never loses its relevance. Probity, the quality of having strong moral principles, honesty, and decency, is a trait that we should all strive to embody.

The Cruise of a Lifetime

Many moons ago, I found myself aboard a magnificent cruise ship, the SS Elysium. This was no ordinary voyage. It was a journey that would test my character and teach me a lesson I would carry for the rest of my life.

A Test of Character

One evening, while enjoying the ship’s grand ballroom, I noticed a wallet on the floor. It was filled to the brim with cash and credit cards, but no identification. A lesser man might have been tempted to pocket the find, but I knew the right thing to do.

I turned the wallet into the ship’s lost and found, hoping it would find its way back to its rightful owner. Days passed, and I heard nothing of it. I could have easily forgotten about the incident, but the thought of the owner’s potential distress stayed with me.

The Reward of Probity

On the last day of the cruise, a man approached me. He was the owner of the wallet. He thanked me profusely, explaining that the wallet contained not just money, but sentimental items of great personal value. He offered me a reward, but I declined. The look of relief and gratitude on his face was reward enough.

The Lesson Learned

That experience taught me the true value of probity. It’s not about rewards or recognition, but about doing what’s right because it’s the right thing to do. It’s about maintaining your integrity, even when no one is watching.

So, dear reader, I urge you to embrace probity in your own life. It may not always be the easy path, but it is the path that leads to self-respect and the respect of others. And that, my friends, is a reward worth more than any found wallet.

Until next time, remember: the true measure of a man is not his wealth or status, but his character and integrity.

Yours in wisdom,

Kev