The guest editorial, “Would you be as honest?” (July 12), asks the wrong question; “Would you be as careless?” is more like it, the cab driver’s admirable $187,000 cash return notwithstanding.

There are different degrees of honesty, but I don’t think there are varying degrees of dishonesty. Contradicting established fact is dishonest, disappointingly evolving to common practice in the 21st Century, which in part makes the money’s return more endearing. It’s beyond reasonable expectation for strangers to return sacred valuables but we can be mindful to avoid careless and reckless behavior and communication, thus strengthening the universal goal of peace.

Yes, actions speak louder than words but mistakes, misunderstandings, misinterpretations, misadventures, miscues, miscalculations as well as missed opportunities begin with carelessness, which we have the power to eliminate by giving thought to the impact we make.

Jay Lustgarten

Stonington