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An excerpt from the 'bible' of the Grand Design
Honor remains a deceptively alluring concept; one easily misinterpreted with adherence to the Precepts. Those who expound this relativistic concept assign worth and stature based on the harmony of one’s actions and deeds--social causality affected by a predetermined morality system. In many cultures, the concept of Honor and the concept of Social Law may be synonymous with one another--persecution awaiting those who transgress against these systems. Indeed, many cultures assign social status in accordance to one’s honor, whilst others assign honor according to one’s social status.
Many--if not most--martial societies define themselves through the concept of honor. Adherence to certain principles or codes can define every aspect of a warrior’s significance--in particular, their rights of leadership. Thusly, the Preceptor of the Grand Design must understand this concept and how to utilize it properly whilst avoiding the vulnerabilities it can inflict upon the Machine.
Honor remains the last bastion of the inept and cowardly. It is not uncommon for many warrior cultures to seek death rather than suffer the humiliation of defeat. This predilection reveals the true selfishness of those who adhere to Honor, placing their own self-worth above that of the Grand Design. Such cowardice disrupts the Machine, creating a void where only repair and redesign is required and thus inflicting the need for replacement upon the Design. The sacrifice of opportunity cannot--and shall not--be tolerated.
Blind faith in the concept of Honor--a further sign of weakness and self-importance--can severely disrupt the Grand Design. The inflexible heart shall break like cast iron when tested. Evolution and innovation are the essence of the Grand Design. The Preceptor knows that if adherence to a Precept would harm the Grand Design, then it is their solemn duty to evolve and alter the Precept for the betterment of the Machine. Blind faith leads only to Stagnation. Those who adhere to Honor do not understand this underlying truth, which makes them dangerous components for the Grand Design.
As such, these weaknesses can--and should--be exploited to serve the Grand Design. Utilizing the concept of Honor will allow the Preceptor to guide others into bettering the Machine, albeit unknowingly. The Preceptor should feel no remorse in doing so. They are doing nothing more than culling a weak link in the Machine and furthering the Grand Design. Indeed, they may learn the error of their ways and become a more useful Instrument.