Website owner: James Miller
Honesty
What is the most important thing to me in a person? What quality is most apt to cause me to like a person? I would say honesty. If I encounter a person whose main character trait strikes me as honesty, I am almost forced to like him.
______________________________________________________________________________
Honest. Genuine, authentic, real, natural
Def. Honesty. the quality of being honest.
Similar: moral correctness, uprightness, honorableness, honor, integrity, morals, morality, ethics, principle, (high) principles, nobility, righteousness, rectitude, right-mindedness, upstandingness, virtue, goodness, probity, worthiness, high-mindedness, justness, fairness, incorruptibility, truthfulness, truth, veracity, trustworthiness, reliability, conscientiousness, scrupulousness, reputability, dependability, loyalty, faithfulness, fidelity, sincerity, candor, frankness, directness, forthrightness, openness, straightforwardness, plainness, genuineness, bluntness, outspokenness
Opposite: dishonesty, insincerity
What is the true meaning of honesty?
AI Overview
The full meaning of honesty is being truthful, sincere, and fair in actions and words, refusing to lie, cheat, or deceive, and showing integrity and uprightness, extending beyond just facts to include expressing true feelings and being transparent in character. It's about adhering to moral correctness, showing respect, and being trustworthy, acting as a core value that fosters trust and ethical behavior, even when it's difficult.
Core Components of Honesty:
● Truthfulness: Speaking and acting in accordance with facts, not hiding or distorting the truth.
● Integrity & Uprightness: Being morally sound and consistent in character, adhering to principles.
● Sincerity & Fairness: Being genuine, straightforward, and acting with impartiality.
● Transparency: Showing your true self and communicating openly.
● Refusal to Deceive: A conscious choice to avoid lying, stealing, or cheating.
Deeper Aspects:
● Self-Honesty: Being honest with oneself, expressing true feelings, even conflicted ones.
● Vulnerability: Honesty can involve being vulnerable by admitting mistakes and showing your authentic self.
● Ethical Foundation: It underpins ethical decision-making and builds strong, trustworthy relationships and organizations.
In Practice:
● It's not just about avoiding big lies but also about genuine communication, even if it's uncomfortable (e.g., admitting you don't like a dish).
● It's a fundamental quality rooted in honor, meaning to act with a standard of truth and fairness.
______________________________________________________________________________
The truth is real honesty is quite rare. Dishonesty is everywhere in this world.
There is a saying: An honest man is the noblest work of God.
There are two areas where I think one finds an especially large amount of dishonesty. One is politics. The other is religion. I think dogmatic systems lead into dishonesty. Ideologies and dogmatism, political or religious, lead to personal dishonesty. People can be dishonest without realizing they are dishonest.
Honesty requires thoughtfulness and being careful and accurate in the things you say — not distorting or exaggerating. You can’t represent a thing accurately unless you understand it. So if you don’t understand a thing you admit it and make no statements about it. Assertions made on the basis of dogma don’t prove a thing.
15 Feb 2026
Jesus Christ and His Teachings
Way of enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding
America, a corrupt, depraved, shameless country
On integrity and the lack of it
The test of a person's Christianity is what he is
Ninety five percent of the problems that most people have come from personal foolishness
Liberalism, socialism and the modern welfare state
The desire to harm, a motivation for conduct
On Self-sufficient Country Living, Homesteading
Topically Arranged Proverbs, Precepts, Quotations. Common Sayings. Poor Richard's Almanac.
Theory on the Formation of Character
People are like radio tuners --- they pick out and listen to one wavelength and ignore the rest
Cause of Character Traits --- According to Aristotle
We are what we eat --- living under the discipline of a diet
Avoiding problems and trouble in life
Role of habit in formation of character
Personal attributes of the true Christian
What determines a person's character?
Love of God and love of virtue are closely united
Intellectual disparities among people and the power in good habits
Tools of Satan. Tactics and Tricks used by the Devil.
The Natural Way -- The Unnatural Way
Wisdom, Reason and Virtue are closely related
Knowledge is one thing, wisdom is another
My views on Christianity in America
The most important thing in life is understanding
We are all examples --- for good or for bad
Television --- spiritual poison
The Prime Mover that decides "What We Are"
Where do our outlooks, attitudes and values come from?
Sin is serious business. The punishment for it is real. Hell is real.
Self-imposed discipline and regimentation
Achieving happiness in life --- a matter of the right strategies
Self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline basic to so much in life