The importance of integrity cannot be overstated. If we want to be good, honest people, we have to act out of integrity. We must find a way to uphold our beliefs and act in accord with what we claim to be true. That’s what I discuss below in today’s episode, so listen here to learn more:
Get your copy of Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience here >>“Any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one already.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Civil Disobedience
Importance of Integrity in Life
In our life, we have to act out our beliefs. If we hold something to be true, we must find a way to live that out. Integrity is integral to the good life because it is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. Basically, it is the virtue of aligning your thoughts, beliefs, and actions with each other so you are wholly honest. Sure, there are many quotes on the importance of integrity, but I think that’s best found in the stories of those who lived them out.
Get your copy of Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience here >>Examples of Integrity
- Martin Luther King Jr. suffering time in jail for the end of segregation
- Gandhi fasting extensively and suffering the nuisances of the state for a free India
- Thoreau going to jail so he didn’t financially support slavery
- Socrates going to his death rather than betraying his conscience
Suffering For the Truth
The examples above are fantastic people to look to and understand their motivations. They underwent tremendous pain and suffering for what they knew to be true. It took courage, prudence, wisdom, and faith in something greater than themselves. And, that is where I think we learn about integrity. Reading those stories, like Thoreau’s jailing, help us understand what it takes to live with integrity.
Importance of Integrity in Society
In order to understand importance of integrity in our society, we must see what happens when people live without it. If everyone lacked honesty and never dealt truthfully with others, society would break down. The importance of integrity and honor boils down to the ability to trust others with whom we have to live in common. The only way we can do that is if we can trust the other person. We also have to look at the importance of integrity in leadership, because without honest leaders, we cannot function as a society. But when we cannot trust them, we need to stand up against their dishonesty and be able to trust one another.
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