which virtue?

a question posed for granting entry into the brotherhood

which of these three virtues is the most important - honesty, loyalty, or compassion.

the answer is to be given in an hour's time

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the reply

i did not choose any of the three virtues.

i canot choose just one. the three virtues are connected – one can't exist fully without the other. without one, the others lose their flavour. honesty without compassion is too harsh to do any good. compassion without loyalty lacks power, so you can'r help the people you care for. loyalty without honesty may make you followthe wrong person, or the wrong cause.

(from 'conch bearer' by chitra bannerjee divakaruni – aladin paperbacks, new york)