“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
Shakespeare’s words from his play “Romeo and Juliet,” written in 1596, express the dilemma of two young lovers. Romeo and Juliet love one another, but there is a serious barrier to their relationship. Their two families are feuding and the roots of the conflict go deep. Juliet is a Capulet and Romeo is a Montague. Tension between the families threatens to keep Romeo and Juliet apart.
Read Also
Ground rules for farm family communications
Establishing meeting ground rules can help your family find ways to communicate that work for your farm. Here are some…
Juliet appeals for reason in the midst of bitterness. She says what matters is not what something is called, but what it is. She tells Romeo that only his name (Montague) is the enemy. She loves him for himself. He is “dear perfection” regardless of his name.
“What’s in a name?… a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” A person’s reputation and integrity rest in their name. “He has a good name” is more than a compliment. A good name means you can do business with the person confident you will not be taken advantage of or cheated. With trust, a business deal can be sealed with a handshake or a telephone call.
“A good name will take you far and a bad reputation will hold you back.” The people who took part in the destruction in downtown Vancouver after the Stanley Cup final may find that their actions cloud their lives for a long time.
The lack of a good name can follow you to the grave. I attended the funeral of a man known for stealing horses and making unsavoury deals. Later that day I called at the hospital. A patient asked if I had been to the funeral. “Did they have to straighten him out to get him in the coffin?” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Everybody knew how crooked he was…”
Integrity, honesty and reliability are rewarded. Business owners know that satisfied clients pass recommendations on to potential customers. Jim Walker built a successful men’s wear business in Stettler, Alta. He used to say, “You can put up a building, hang out a sign and open a store but you cannot buy goodwill. It can only be earned.”
I tell children who visit the Western Development Museum in Saskatoon that merchants 50 or 100 years ago knew who could be trusted with credit. Accounts were carried for many months but bills were paid after the harvest. Payment was sometimes made with vegetables, chickens, eggs or a side of beef, but few debts were unpaid.
“What’s in a name?” I flew to a church meeting in a Saskatchewan town. “Phone the church when you land and someone will come to the airport and pick you up.” Unfortunately the ringer on the church phone was silenced and I could not get through. I began walking to town. Soon a pickup truck stopped. A farmer and his wife offered a ride. We exchanged names. The man began to ponder “… Rod Andrews. I have heard that name before.” After a few searching questions I asked if he read COUNTRY GUIDE. “That is where I have seen your name but I sure as h___ didn’t expect to find you walking around out here!”
“Know thyself” was written above the oracle at Delphi. Philosophers have pondered the meaning of these words for centuries. I wonder if they mean “Be true to yourself.” And the opposite side of the coin is “Be true to others.”
SuggestedScripture:Proverbs22,Ecclesiastes7
