In Gor, survival belongs to the fittest and strongest. Those weaker find themselves dominated and sometimes enslaved. It can be a strict and harsh environment, but the belief in fairness and the pursuit of right balances the sometimes cruel and hostile world. Goreans believe in honor and rarely perform actions that are not for the production of good. Actions are not taken without rhyme or reason.Honor is the heart of Gor. It is found deeply rooted in the minds and souls of all Goreans. More than just a way of life, honor is THE total and complete thread that the Gorean philosophy is woven around. Though not always spoken, a Goreans honor stands above all else. Those who lose that honor are outcast and not considered fit with which to be associated. Once honor is lost, it can never be redeemed. It is a treasure more valuable than all the money and wealth that one could ever possess.
Goreans live by sets of rules and codes. They are ingrained into them from childhood up, varying at times according to the different castes. Individuals are expected to honor and live by these codes, performing their tasks as set forth by society. Although most codes are conducted and discussed by Goreans, it is improper to share these with slaves. Once being enslaved, all rights of caste and home are given up. Caste codes are considered the law and those of society are expected to control themselves and live their lives accordingly. Individuals pride themselves upon their ability to uphold such laws, believing that ones wisdom and integrity is directly proportional to such actions.
One such code that all Goreans live by is truth. Truth is one basic element for which a person will fight and die. No matter what caste or clan, all Goreans share in the belief that truth is the way of life which holds the entire Gor world together. Even among enemies, truth will always be honored. Being dishonest is totally unacceptable to all, and a sign of weakness and the lack of self control. Goreans not only value the honor of their own truthfulness, but they expect the same in return from all others in their community. It is this strong practice of truth which allows those of the Gor society to merge and work together for the good of their world. To be lied to by another is considered a grave insult, and rarely forgiven. Those who misrepresent themselves or a situation with falsehoods are not trusted again. Once an individual is caught in a lie, his honor is ruined and he is of no further use to society. Goreans know that truth is what holds their world together, which is why they will fight to the death to ensure that such honor and honesty is always maintained.
Goreans believe that to show pity is an enormous insult to a person. No one wishes to be the recipient of this type of emotion. It is a sign of weakness and inability to conduct themselves and prosper in their society. Goreans will not tolerate weakness, and are embarrassed by such a display of emotion. One may display sympathy or compassion for another. It is even encouraged to display these emotions outwardly. But to hand out pity is considered demeaning and a lack of respect to those receiving it. An individual who would lower themselves to beg is looked down upon without mercy and not accepted in the Gor society.
Responsibility is very important to a Gorean. They must be responsible for their actions and deeds in society. To blame another is an extreme sign of weakness, influencing how others look upon that individual's own life, family and clan. That is why such codes of honor and ways of life are taught and handed down within the family structure. To make up excuses for mistakes, thus shirking responsibility, is considered cowardice. Not only will a Gorean take the blame for his actions, but they will consider it their duty to punish those who are known to have behaved dishonorably. Slaves are especially prone to receiving harsh discipline in such matters. It is considered an obligation to all free persons in the society to punish an errant slave. This helps to maintain and stabilize the codes and honor of the Gorean society as a whole.
Goreans do not fear danger. Rather they seek to withstand and conquer that which threatens their existence. They love their world and all that is in it, finding beauty in even the harshest of surroundings. This love for life can be found in their art and music. They believe that the only thing one should fear, is fear itself. Even when hunting dangerous prey, a Gorean will revel in the test of defense. To truly be alive, one must face danger and death, and face it as a warrior being given a chance to prove his strength and cunning. The dangers that oft surround an individual are the props which cause him to value life and want to live it to its fullest. They do not worry about what tomorrow may bring, but rather learn to love and enjoy life in the present. A Gorean works hard and loves even harder, giving all that he has up to his final hour. Being totally outward with their emotions, Goreans fearlessly consider challenges the spice of life. They do not dwell on sadness even though they allow it to be an inward part of them. Grief is accepted and expected, but not permitted to rule one's life. To fear life is a sure sign of weakness and not found or tolerated in the world of Gor.
Kinship is very important in Gor society. Love and respect being the mutual bond which holds each other together. A bond of kinship is not taken lightly. It is celebrated through rituals, and is the one constant which bonds all races and cultures. One will put his safety on the line to protect his kindred brother, thus emphasizing their worthiness to each other.
Goreans are VERY suspicious of strangers. In the Gorean language, the word for "stranger" and "enemy" are one and the same. This is a true sign of their dislike for outsiders. If one is not known to a specific caste or race, they are not to be trusted and are usually considered as being up to no good. Many times these strangers are immediately slain, no time being wasted on judgment. This practice is mainly brought about due to the hostile environment in which Goreans must survive. Protecting their families and Home Stones are of ultimate importance. Since it is known that enemies will hide and attack those not prepared, those of Gor will not hesitate to take action and always seek to keep themselves ready, never to be caught off guard. A stranger is expected to demonstrate his friendliness quickly if he means no threat. Friendship is withheld until this is proven to the Gorean's satisfaction. It is simply a matter of wisdom, the duty lying on the protection and service to one's city and its people. One who is overly backwards or a loner is considered highly suspicious. It is much more intelligent to show caution than to mistakenly allow harm to come to those that one cherishes. This attitude is quite dominant and found frequently among those in the Gorean society.
