Virtue – a particular moral excellence

I believe that Integrity is a moral excellence.

Integrity comes from the same root as the word, “integer.” It means, “The quality or state of being whole or undivided.”

You can tell a person with Integrity – her thoughts, beliefs and actions “line up” – there is do division between them. He does not tell you one thing and do something completely different.

People with Integrity are not boring and predictable. When they tell you that they will do something, they get it done – they may do it in a way that is fun and creative, but they get it done. They are dependable. You can count on them to keep their word and not change their mind if something more appealing comes up.

A person with Integrity lives out his values – his values determine what he will and will not do and his deeds bring to him what he values. A person who values something highly will act in ways that honor those things and those things will be drawn to him.

INTEGRITY IN COMMUNITY

Integrity is important to true community but, it must be Integrity that values others. If a person with Integrity values himself too highly, he will not benefit the community.

POSITIVE: A person who values people above things will act in ways that honor people. She will use things to serve people.

NEGATIVE: A person who values things above people will act in ways that honor things. She will use people to serve things.

Imagine a community made up of people who value one another and exercise Integrity.

What would that be like?