Honesty matters anytime, and in every profession. And it starts with you, being ready to defend your values. Nelson Mandela, a role model of leadership and justice, once said this, “As I have said, the first is, to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself. Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, but with humility.” In this article, we are going to explore why honesty matters. But before then, let’s look at the definition of honesty:
Merrian-Webster’s definition of Honesty, “As fairness and straitforwardness of conduct or adherence to the facts.
Also, the Oxford English Dictionary defines Honesty as “The quality of being honest” Honesty is, further defined as “Free of deceit, truthful and sincere. Morally correct or virtuous…”
Honesty can be seen as a measure of integrity. This is because there can’t be any man or woman of integrity who does not possess the element of honesty in him or her.
You Can Be a Role Model
Being a person of honest character is accessible to people. In other words, people will find out with time who you are. It doesn’t require wearing a different kind of lenses to see through your character. https://www.the1thing.com/blog/the-one-thing/honesty-is-the-best-policy/
As you share life with family, close associates, friends, and the public, you will be X-rayed. People will be able to tell who you are or not. Honesty is a factor that many executives, leaders, husbands, friends, children have taken lightly, undermining its impact on their everyday life.
Consequently, many have forgotten that it is so vital to their overall success in any chosen profession. At this point, you’re free to pause and ask yourself How reliable am I a person? Can people trust me with information, relationship, and money? Why and why not? I believe that our honest answers to these questions can show us how seriously we take our values.
I sincerely, admire people who are honest. People who are real, genuine, and authentic. If you have dealt with some dishonest people, and fall victim to their schemes, you will realize why it is very important to deal with men of character and conscience.
Unfortunately, what we have today in leadership positions, are men and women in professional suits and ties but with little or no self-awareness, no investment on how to build their integrity account.Integrity The Meaning, And Your Life
As I watch the conduct of some politicians, I feel for society and the office these people occupy. These are people who are opportune to be in high places who lack honesty and a sense of integrity. What they say with their mouth is incongruent with their belief and conducts.
In today’s politics, truth or facts have been subjected to party affiliation. If the person speaking the truth is not a member of your Party, the truth will be resisted and buried. How can we succeed as a society with this level of moral decadence?
Where can we find some decencies again? Nothing is sacred anymore. Every place, position, the institution has been violated, assaulted because of a lack of integrity.
Never Be Afraid, to Be Honest and
to Stand for What Is True
Speaking of Integrity, what is it? Integrity is defined in Webster’s as “firm adherence to a code of especially moral values; incorruptibility.” You can feel the weight that carries. People who have integrity, who are honest know how to differentiate between truth and fabrications, conspiracies, and falsehood. They know what is acceptable and unacceptable for a code of conduct.
The current Senate debate on appointing the January 6 commission to look into the regrettable, shameful event of January 6th, 2021, is another example of how to identify men and women of honesty, integrity from ordinary politicians. When people are honest or want to silence their conscience, they will be bold to call black white and turn darkness to call it light even when it gives no light.
I read a story about a very successful man who taught his son about integrity. He often told his son, “Never lie. Never tell one lie. If you tell one lie, you will have to eventually tell fifteen more to cover up the first lie. “Lies multiplies and adds. We ought to be careful. People are watching and listening! Today leaders lie with impunity. As if truth and character no longer count. So sad!
The Impact of Lack of Honesty and integrity on the Family
I have seen some men who are deficient in character, but who expect their spouse and children to be supportive of their lifestyle. These are men who lie and cheat and lack self-control. All that motivate them are nothing but power and control.
They forgot that their leadership role starts from the family as the head. The wife and children of these men have many opportunities to observe their behaviors at a close range. To some, they live in denial of reality. And many have lost their respect even within their families as a result of their dishonest lifestyle.
Most of these men and women who are lacking integrity claim what they are not just because they go to church or mosque. As a Christian or a religious person, you have to be a role model of honesty to your wife, husband, children, and others.
Lack of Honesty Breeds Failure
Take for instance in a group, party, or organization where there is no trust, there will be no role models to provide with specific advice. Therefore, the group will not grow. Things will stall. Ideas will not flow. Again, there will be little or no respect.
Instead of peace, love, and satisfaction, there will be conflicts. Everyone will be faking to be ok while they are not. And communication will not be taken seriously, because you’re not trusting each other. Whereas, if there is honesty, people will be conscious of walking their talk. They will be consistent in keeping to their commitments even when it is inconvenient.
And we say that a person is dishonest when the person is partly feigned, fake, forged, and fictitious. In this article, I will keep it as simple and straightforward as it can be. Because the word is starving and hurting because of dishonest human beings, in both positions of authorities and at every level.
The Need for Honesty Is So High Today
We are living at a time when you no longer take anything at its face value. At a time, you find it very hard to believe who is telling the truth or lying to you with a straight face.
We are living at a time when it seems as if wicked, and dishonest people are manufactured and supplied to the society to corrupt the system than ever before. I say than ever before, considering the effect of our technological advancements with its merits and demerits.
Consider the following quotes about honesty. I hope you find them useful.
Thomas Jefferson, said this about Honesty, “Honesty is the first chapter in the of wisdom.”
William Shakespeare in his era, said this about Honesty, “Honesty is the best policy, which means if you keep your honesty and I keep mine we are whole, safe and in for success.
Shakespeare also stated that “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” And that’s why people of faith should be ambassadors of truth, honesty, integrity, no matter how others normalize bad acts. Let us shine the light in the midst of darkness.
Khaled Hosseini, once said that, “When you tell a lie, that you’ve stolen ones right to the truth.”
“Be a reflection of what you’d like to see in others. If you want love, give love, if you want honesty, practice honesty, if you want respect, give respect. You get in return what you give.” Anonymous
Ben Carson, the great surgeon said that, “People all over the nation are starved for honesty and common sense.”
Imam Ali RA said this, “Be honest, for God is the helper of honest people. Avoid telling lies since it will ruin your faith. Know that honest people are on the verge of nobility and honor, while liars are on the verge of collapse and destruction.”
“Be a reflection of what you’d like to see in others. If you want love, give love, if you want honesty, give honesty, if you want respect, give respect. You get in return what you give.” Anonymous
ATGW has this to say, “Be honest with yourself and never settle for a life that is not true to who you are.”
William Faulkner said that “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth.”
I know and believe how important it is to stand for what is true. What we sow is what we reap. And if we’re always on the side of the truth, we’ll reap profit at the end. It may appear that those that stand on the opposite sidewalk get better results. But those results are temporarily. They are doomed to fall apart with time.
Hi Ann, thanks for stopping by today, to offer your candid comment. I so much appreciate it.
Once again thanks, and keep what you have.