in·teg·ri·ty; noun

1. steadfast adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

2. the state of being whole or undivided, entire, or undiminished: to preserve the integrity of the empire.

3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition: the integrity of a ship's hull.

I believe that when a people, such as the American public, accept, as a truth, that the nation must go to war, that those who actually go to war must be supported whole-heartedly. That's being consistent, being honest, and acting with integrity.

And when those citizens who were forced to fight the war come home in coffins, it is moral to recognize their sacrifice. That's being consistent, being honest, and acting with integrity.

When given a choice of buying from one's own country and an enemy's country and choosing one's own country, even when buying from the enemy might benefit us, that's integrity.

When the fighting is over in Iraq and Afghanistan, will we buy cars from these people? If you're American and lack integrity, the answer, sadly, may be yes.

If you lived in an arid land, imagine your disappointment when the dark clouds you saw brought no rain. Is the disappointment no less when the people in our lives fail to live up to their promises? That's why it is written in the Book of Proverbs, "People who promise things they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain." (Prov. 25:14) This lesson in the Book of Proverbs deals with INTEGRITY. When what people think, say, promise, and do all coincide, they have integrity. They have unshakable character. They have our trust and respect. They also have a good reputation because they are reliable and responsible.

A building without integrity may receive structural damage, or even collapse, in a storm. Similarly, people without integrity are blown about by the winds of misfortune and destroyed by catastrophes, for they lack the firmness, solidity, and strength of character to weather any storm. Dr. William Menninger (1899 ~ 1966) called integrity one of the six essential qualities that are the key to success. (The other five are sincerity, humility, courtesy, wisdom, and charity.)

Integrity is about principle centered living. It is about doing what is right rather than what is expedient. We have integrity when we are the good person we appear to be. For this reason Socrates (469 ~ 399 BC) taught, "The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be." And Socrates was an exemplary example of integrity, for he placed his life at risk by refusing to carry out orders that were immoral. Finally, when he was accused of "impiety," he was sentenced to die; however, as was the custom at the time, he was given a chance to make a counterproposal. He suggested his death sentence be replaced with a fine of thirty mina (3,000 drachmas), but insisted he lived an honorable life and was an excellent role model. His 'lack of repentance' infuriated the court, which then condemned him to death. While waiting in prison, before given the poisonous hemlock to drink, friends visited him and planned an escape. But Socrates refused to flee, explaining that although the charges against him were unjust and bogus, they were made by a legitimate court and must therefore be obeyed.

To remove any doubt of what it means to live with integrity, let me cite one more example. After the U.S. Civil War, General Robert E. Lee was offered $10,000 a year to become President, in name only, of an insurance company. He declined the offer with these words, "Excuse me, sir; I cannot consent to receive pay for services I do not render."