Philotimo is best understood as one’s responsibility to oneself as a human being to always act in accordance with righteousness and honor. Even if one’s wealth, safety, freedom, or even life is at peril, one that lives by this virtue will always choose to do the right and honorable regardless of consequence. The idea of Philotimo goes beyond the idea that one needs no motive to act in good faith and for a good cause, and suggests that for a sentient being, right and honorable actions should be the only acceptable behavior. It, therefore, requires a universal (or at least well-established) sense of morality, and a “golden standard” of behavior, which must be reached by all means possible, and by any sacrifice necessary. This term unique to the Greek language may apply to individuals, groups, or even Greek society as a whole, and may refer to any kind of action or behavior. Philotimo is often seen as the “prime virtue”. It comes from the words φίλος = friend and τιμή = honor.