The importance of a moral compass.... right and wrong

There are few things of more value to a person
than a healthy and well calibrated moral compass.

I am not speaking of religion, although that can help
some people understand and act.

I am speaking of a certainty of right and wrong.
Is an action right, or wrong? A belief, a law, a statement,
a thought..... you name it. The ability to judge right from
wrong with enough certainty to act is key to a
healthy personality and character.

Do not look to the law for help. Hear me now.....
Legal vs illegal does not have anything to
do with right vs wrong. It never has and
never will.

Doubt the validity of this statement? Can
you hear Judge Dredd (Sly Stalone) in your
head saying "It's Da LAWWwwww"?

Remember these points when you
hear "Because it's the law":

It was legal to own slaves in the united states, and beat
them to death when you wished.

It was illegal for woman to vote in the united states
for most of our national history.

It was illegal for blacks to own firearms in most southern
states up until the 1950's.
(the genesis of most of our national gun control laws).

While it is illegal for a citizen to tell an untruth
to any federal agent, AG Janet Reno stated it is
common and legal for federal agents to lie to citizens.

The point is this.... don't look for the law to be a
moral record of right and wrong. By the same token
religion in almost all it's forms has neatly removed itself
from the arena as well. History is replete with wars and
atrocities performed by humans acting under
orders from other humans reporting to act under
orders from various gods.

No buck to be passed here....
"Ve Vere only following Orders" will never
be an acceptable defense.

Every person needs a sense of right vs wrong, a moral
compass if you will.

Where do you get it from?
Still working on that point..... back later.