Integrity is the single most important quality you can ever develop that will enhance every part of your life. Would you give the extra change back to the cashier if they gave you too much? Or would you just keep it for yourself? If you saw someone drop money and/or their wallet, would you go find them or turn it in? Or keep the money and stuff in the wallet? These are all good examples of integrity and good character.
Having integrity means being completely truthful and honest in every part in your own life. Character and integrity are not only what we display for others to see, us as but whom we are and when no one is watching. The definition of integrity on Dictionary. com is adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Integrity is not something that someone can just hand to you. It is a characteristic that you have to teach yourself and it is something you have to practice by yourself. It is a value, like courage and intelligence. It is your choice to live by those values. These values form and create your character, personality and your reputation. Integrity is what solidifies your values and causes you to live them with consistency.
Integrity and honesty are the foundations and keystones of a good character. Good character is doing the right thing because it is right to do what is right. Abraham Lincoln once said, “ Reputation is the shadow, character is the tree.” This says that reputation is the thing that we display to others but character is what we what and who we actually are. Not just how people perceive us as.
Character is one of the greatest things you can build on and make better every single day. But none of this can be done without honesty and integrity. To live a completely true and honest life, you first have to be completely true and honest with others. And to be completely true and honest with others, you must first be.
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