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Along Life’s Way
Integrity: Some Thoughts
By Lois E. Wilson
The word “integrity” is defined as showing a consistent adherence to
strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity is
regarded as the honesty and accuracy of one's actions. When I was a
child if we thought someone had no integrity when they were playing a
game, we said they were “playing dirty.”
Political candidates are trying to sell us a product—them. They come
packaged in different brands: Dems, Reps, Independents, etc. And
each brand’s products have a range of qualities and philosophies from
which we choose the candidates to give our votes.
Integrity is an important quality to have in our leaders. This election
year, we will be observing many candidates for various offices to
determine their character. To assess it, we depend on what they say and
what their actions have been in the past. Are some so tied to their
brand that they ignore their constituents’ desires and needs and always
follow its goals to the detriment of the public good? A Russian proverb
cautions, “You cannot drive straight on a twisted road.”
Many have made observations about integrity. Samuel Johnson said,
“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without
integrity is dangerous and dreadful.”
The Bible refers to integrity: Job 31:6 (AV). “Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.”
“The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my
righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.” Psalm
7:8 (AV)
“The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3 (AV)
“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” Proverbs: 20:7 (AV).
It is interesting that within the word “integrity” is found the word
“grit” which can mean courage. You cannot have integrity without grit.
Walter Lippman observed, “He has honor if he holds himself to an ideal
of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do
so.” In today’s political environment, we need leaders with grit and
integrity who can inspire us to higher goals. Then as Proverbs
promises, our children will truly be blessed.
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