Beware! Virtue Needs Servicing

Here is How

I didn't know CAs can be brutal until a seasoned CA quipped, “Those who have no vices, have no virtues” when a Head of Accounts at one of the office parties, refused a glass of Beer, proclaiming he has no vices, perhaps trying to impress his VP- Finance. I almost choked on my chilled beer.

Not one who can be harnessed, the CA hit further hard, “Being honest is usually described as a virtue.” I offered a chair to the Head of Accounts to sit and a glass of fruit juice to chill. My Vice with Virtue.

True. Honesty is a personal trait, a kind of character of a person. Some thing like a moral badge pinned neatly on the chest unlike that Medal one Country Head gives to the other. Hahaha.

But the moment honesty steps out of the soul and into the world of work, it quietly changes its avatar. It becomes a service.

Isn't it when you execute a project with honesty, deliver a service with honesty, or run a business with honesty, honesty is no longer just a character trait. It becomes a product. A service. Something that is consumed, evaluated, complained about, and sometimes returned.

And the uncomfortable truth is: Every product and every service needs maintenance. For instance, honesty, like an automobile, faces wear and tear.

Deadlines create pressure. Clients test patience. Traffic jams the temperament. Emails pile up to respond.

And then, chaos follow - you loose cool. Temper flares. Tone slips. Intent remains honest, but delivery develops dents and scratches.

At that moment, honesty hasn’t vanished. It just needs servicing. But are there any service providers for this? Mumbai has quiet geniuses.

“ Sar jo tera chakaraye, ya dil duba jaye, aaja pyare pas hamare, kahe ghabaraye, kahe….” Exactly.

They understand something we rarely articulate: Honesty is not a permanent state. It is a working condition. It needs updates. Occasional repairs. Periodic cooling.

Walk through the city and you’ll find service providers who have industrialised honesty itself:

Honesty Plumbing Services

Do they attend when honesty is leaking. Drip by drip, and then say, “Minor issue, sir. Seal loose?”

Honesty Cooling Services

For moments when honesty overheats. Too much friction. Needs gas refill and emotional ventilation.

Honesty Repair Services

Any thing for cracked promises, loose commitments, and worn-out assurances? Original spare parts not guaranteed, but functionality restored.

Honesty Gas Services

Because sometimes honesty runs out unexpectedly, right in the middle of execution.

And of course, there is something called - Honesty Trading Corporation

I don't know if they buy, sell, or exchange - old honesty with new. Slightly used honesty negotiable and bulk honesty available for corporate orders🤔 Plenty of options.

Before you start calling them up…They may not be actually servicing honesty but the names make us laugh, and the insight behind them is profound. Right?

Here are my two cents (That damned US $ is very expensive): The truly dangerous honesty is not the one that admits it needs service. It’s the one that claims lifetime warranty.

In the real world, the most reliable honesty is not pristine. It’s maintained. And perhaps that’s why this city doesn’t worship honesty. It services it.

Regularly. Pragmatically. Honestly.

Until the next inspiration, bye guys!

Wait. Wait. Don't go until you register your like, comment if you need my help, and restack to help a needy.

Lots of love!

Ashok