:: COMPARE ::
The short answer
Honour is a status other people grant you — it can be given, withheld, or taken away. Philotimo is a debt you set for yourself and then quietly pay, whether or not anyone notices. Which is why one is about reputation and the other is about what you do when there's no audience.
Side by side
| Aspect | Philotimo | Honour |
|---|---|---|
| Granted by | Yourself | Others |
| Needs witnesses | No | Yes |
| Can be lost | Only by you | By anyone |
| Originally meant | Ambition | Standing |
What each one means
Philotimo is the internal obligation to do the generous and right thing because of who you are, with no expectation of return — a word that carried both senses in antiquity — vainglorious ambition in one register, honourable ambition and lavish public generosity in another.
Full definition of Philotimo →The contrast above sets out how Honour differs from Philotimo on the points that actually matter.