never go with out one.........
you missing out a lot.

Question:
what are you doing with your map if you can't see the sun, or the sky is overcast and grey and you are lost ?
how do you find your direction than, no GPS around or empty batteries, lost orientation and so on..... well may your mechanic wrist watch help you out... but a good compass is the best investment you can make.
It's OK if you are in the woods, just look out for the moss on the bark to find north... but what are you doing in the plains or city's ?

I use several compasses at ones, one good SUUNTO K14-360/6400 compass the one with 360degree plus 6400mills scale, usable for civilian and army maps for way planing and set up of camp side, and a small cheap £1, 1-inch plastic compass permanent fitted on the arm tensional strap of my bike jacket for ruff orientation and quick judgement, prevent me riding for miles the wrong way down........

I had my 1st compass when I was a 6-year old, it was an big old WW2 Military wrist diving compass with 3-inch diameter scale, left over from some one.... I'm hooked and fascinated ever since to use this devices called compass in all sorts of manner, never got lost... well may in translation... but other wise .... get you self one you like, you will not regret it.

A compass belongs to your travelling equipment like penknives and fire making devices right on the top of the list of things you are taking.
But may you are a type of guy who is calling the AA and believes that it was a hell of an adventure getting home in that yellow cab....

__________________
The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.