INTRODUCTION

Imagine a world where immoral behaviour is immediately accompanied by some sort of discomfort. In the story of Pinocchio, the puppet's nose grew whenever he told a lie. Suppose we all were somewhat like Pinocchio. Suppose for example a thief's hand would get a little heavier each time he or she stole something, harbouring vengeful thoughts brought on a very bad headache, lusts brought on blurred vision and envy, stomach-ache. Imagine also that helping anyone in need brought immediate, tangible gain to the benefactor. Any good deed made one better looking or increased one's health or brought financial rewards. Do you think that in such a Pinocchio-like world there will be any crime related problems? Would there be any problems at all?

However, in such a world do you think that people's actions will be done out of concern for others or because of the benefits they can get for themselves? Would their actions be done out of love or out of self-interest? Beneath the façade of goodwill in our fairy-tale world may very well be a world devoid of love or compassion or any true virtue.

For better or for worse we do not live in a fairy-tale world. The reality is that sometimes bad things seem to happen to good people, while very often bad people seem to go unpunished. Does this mean that we live in an imperfect world? Or is this the only possible way true virtue could develop within the hearts of men and women? Of course, it is easy for us to do the right thing when there is some benefit we could expect from it, or when we have a natural inclination to do so. It is much more difficult when we seem to have something to lose and nothing tangible to gain, or when it goes against our natural bodily urges. The only real challenge to living a moral life is in fact our own narrow self-interests. True virtue comes only from the struggle of overcoming our selfishness as we strive to value what is right above self-interests.

Paradoxically as one strives to live the moral life - putting virtue above all else, so much more is acquired. "Seeds" of freedom, joy and peace begin to grow from deep within. One's integrity becomes like a fortress - like a tower of strength, which proves immeasurably more valuable than anything else in life. One begins to value one's own character, or who one is above the comforts and possessions one has. But still, it is not a matter of having virtue and nothing else.

There is a beauty -an inner beauty - which radiates from the moral person and draws the respect and admiration of others. Morality certainly enhances one's social acceptance. People of integrity are sought after in the business and professional world also, so that very often integrity becomes the most valuable asset in one's career. In our world (as imperfect as it seems) morality does pay the most handsome dividends. So, in a sense then we do live in a sort of Pinocchio-like world. Our noses may not grow but our characters do become deformed and unattractive when we pursue immoral behaviour. On the other hand, there are real rewards of pursuing integrity. These however might be a bit more subtle than in the fairy-tale and often not as immediate.