Many sociological and anthropological studies have tried to describe the importance of honour in different cultures. However, this principle seems always to have been analysed in relation to its more violent and destructive aspects. The article seeks to show that honour, far from representing a provocative element in interpersonal conflict, can also be seen as a regulator of social relations. The discussion stems from qualitative research conducted in Turkey with young adults, in which we shall seek to show that « ?eref » (honour in Turkish) can constitute a brake on deviance.