Fides

/ˈfaɪdiːz/ noun

Definition

Faith, trust, or good faith; a person's reputation for honesty and reliability, especially in legal or business contexts.

Etymology

From Latin fides, meaning faith or trust. It entered English legal vocabulary from Roman law, where 'bona fides' (good faith) was a foundational principle of all contracts and dealings.

Kelly Says

Romans considered fides so essential that they personified it as a goddess with her own temple. Your fides was your most valuable possession—more important than money or property, because it determined if anyone would ever trust you again.

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