Character

We recently hired a person and signed her to a contract, only to have her renege on that contract when what to her was a better offer came along. There are a lot of these situations in life, whether they are invitations to a better party, offers for a better date, or any situation where a better offer than a previous commitment comes along, but ultimately "you have to go home with the one that brung you there." It's just a matter of honor and a reflection of one's morals. As I wrote to the reneger:

"Everything works out ultimately for the best, I suppose, and I have no animosity towards you whatsoever. But I do want to make this last comment in the hope that you will someday understand it: it is easy to keep one's word when it is to one's benefit to do so, but to keep one's word when it is not to one's benefit is the measure of character."