What keeps us in check

Every night at 6, Sir Samuel Vimes reads 'Where's my cow?' to his infant son. Every. Night. At. Six. No excuses, not even good ones. Because if you start making good excuses, the bad ones aren't far away. At least that's what Vimes thinks. Throughout the book, this father-son connection acts as an important factor in keeping Vimes from crossing the moral boundaries he's made himself abide by, and thus suggests that forming your own set of rules for yourself sometimes just isn't enough. You also need something to remind you of what's really important, and why you made those rules up in the first place. Especially if you live in a world where corruption, violence, lies & temptation are all a part of everyday life. What better reminder then, than the future and safety of your child?

On a more corny note, you might suggest that love is all that makes the difference. Vimes loves his son, and that alone holds him in check, whatever the world throws at him. A little cheesy perhaps, but there you go...