A very brief,
and necessarilly incomplete and imperfect, summation of 'Imperial Values' as seen in the late/modern Imperium-
- Glory to the Emperor!
- The autocratic powers of the Emperor are as necessary and just as the autocratic powers of a starship captain.
- The Emperor enjoys the Blessing of God/Mandate of Heaven (not universal, but many people do feel this way)
- Social equality of ranks and station is unnatural and undesirable; hierarchy is natural and good. God did NOT make all men equal.
- Blood will tell.
- Personal loyalty is tremendously important.
- A man's word is his bond.
- Cowards are despicable.
- Duelling is a fine old tradition.
- A gentleman always pays his debts.
- The profession of arms in an honorable one.
- Humans are the most important race in Charted Space, but it's rude to trumpet this around the other sophonts. They've made contrbutions too, often under human leadership.