Integrity is unity in thought and action

by Low HS
(Penang Malaysia)

This word has a lot of meaning to many people.

For me, integrity is about being consistent as to who we are in action and thought.

Often, when a person says something and does something else, he is said to lack integrity or completeness as a person.

Let's say a person says that he does not like another person and yet is so nice in his actions towards him, there is a lack of integrity. It is duplicity. This is a person who is divided within himself.

A person who tells others to be honest and does not act honestly does not have integrity. On the other hand a person who says honestly that he is not honest shows integrity when he acts dishonestly.

Integrity is a value. It is valuing the consistency of who we are in terms of thoughts and action. It can be positive traits as well as negative traits.

E.g. I would not tell an employee to be punctual to work, unless I can be punctual myself. If I cannot be punctual, I would not tell the other person to be so.

I believe integrity need not be associated with honesty. Honesty is the act of not lying - which is an action.

Whereas, integrity is about being whole to who you are - saying what you mean and meaning what you say.

As long as we are consistent to who we are being, we possess integrity of character and personality.