To not say anything unless one really means it. A person with few words. One who understates. Word of honor. What is said is what one meant. One whose words are binding.
I think it's part of that whole INFJ "keeping our reactions private" thing. If I feel the need to externalize something, then there's damn well gonna be a reason for it and I've thought it through several times in my head, so yeah.. I mean it! I understate, because if I try to explain fully people don't understand, or just loose interest... or give me funny looks.
Do you believe in or follow the principle of "word of honor"
If so, why is honor so important?
Because it takes many people with a strong foundation to accomplish great things. "Honor" is that foundation. Being able to rely on one another to do what they are asked, follow through with what they say, or admit what they are
not capable of, allows time to be effectively delegated and gives people the peace of mind to focus on their own part. It also cuts down on resentful, painful and therefore usually unproductive feelings and behaviors that occur due to broken trust. Extending this "honor" to other people and into trivial matters, even when unnecessary or even counter-intuitive, perpetuates good habits and sets good examples.
This also VERY much applies on a more personal level. I couldn't have said it better(Thanks Tovlo. XD):
I don't like to let people down. If I've created expectation in others, then I can't bear to experience their pain and disappointment in me if I fail that expectation. So I'm very careful about what sort of expectations I create when I have any control over it.
This is also why I avoid promises. Making them is like saying you can predict the future. When I do make one, I make one to myself too; to trust that at one time it was worth making, so I need to uphold it even if I don't remember why. I broke a promise once and I can't bear to relive the pain it caused ever again. The only promise I tend to make now is to try my best.
But to me, honor is still more than just "your word." Because whether you make promises or not, people still have expectations of you and can be let down if you don't fulfill them(Again, like Tovlo said). Of course, you can't let others dictate how to live your life or make choices for you either. It's less about what you do or say specifically, and more about setting a standard for yourself and consistently living up to it, so people can count on that from you. Sometimes it sucks for them, because their hopes outreach what you want/can do, so you have to tell them no, and sometimes it sucks for you because you have to work a little harder to reach a previously set standard under new circumstances.. but it's a nice balance that way.
It seems like for people who believe in this, they often do not readily trust others. There is a tendency to question the intent behind other people's actions. Is that true or not in your case? Why?
I'm rather back and forth with this, especially since I'm really good at pegging intentions. I'm untrusting in the sense that I just don't associate with anyone who rubs me the wrong way at the start. If I actually do engage in some sort of relations with someone, or they keep talking to me anyway, I usually trust what they
say a bit too quickly, but don't trust actual behaviors. I know how hard I have to work to stick to my "sense of honor" and my general observation is that most people aren't willing to make the sacrifices it takes to be any sort of consistent with it. A nice little glitch happens when people
say false things about their personality(especially when they don't realize it's not true)... I often get caught in a trap of believing it, and it takes me awhile to realize that their actions don't match up.
I guess I give people benefit of the doubt, but won't let them get close to me until they prove themselves, or until after my intuition finishes scanning them for any red flags. Then, I'll have unending faith in them, even if they don't deserve it.
What do you think makes a person more (or less) likely to follow it?
The examples they have seen, the standards they have for themselves, their level of faith in humanity, the influence of those around them, the sacrifices they're willing to make (or not) to get to their goals, if they have any goals at all, their ability to see the results of their actions.. several things really. But it all comes down to personal choice. I can't see into these other people's heads or lives, so I don't know.
Are there any particular types that seems to you to take that principle to heart?
This was really hard to choose. As I said, it's all about personal choice, regardless of type. But to guess which ones would put dependability as a priority choice backed by/or the determination to see things through?
ESFJ, ISTJ and INTP
As for the "I love you" comments, I REALLY don't say that unless I mean it. Even if I
think I do, but really don't, I'll choke on the words when I try to say it.