99 Powerful Quotes About Integrity to Live By Every Day

Integrity is a quality that resonates deeply, shaping our actions, building trust, and defining who we are at our core. Living with integrity means staying true to our values, even when it’s difficult, and leading a life that reflects honesty and authenticity.

Sometimes, a simple phrase can inspire us to stay grounded in these principles. That’s why quotes about integrity are so powerful—they capture the essence of this value and remind us to align our actions with our beliefs. Let these quotes inspire you to strengthen your character and make choices that reflect who you truly are.

Inspiring Quotes on Integrity

Integrity in Character

1. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” — C.S. Lewis

2. “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” — Confucius

3. “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” — Oprah Winfrey

4. “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.” — Brené Brown

5. “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” — Chinua Achebe

6. “Integrity is not something you show others. It is how you behave behind their back.” — Unknown

7. “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” — Thomas Jefferson

8. “To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful.” — Edward R. Murrow

9. “You can’t, in sound morals, condemn a man for taking care of his own integrity. It is his clear duty.” — Joseph Conrad

10. “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” — Bob Marley

11. “Integrity is making sure that the things you say and the things you do are in alignment.” — Katrina Mayer

12. “With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide.” — Zig Ziglar

13. “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” — Samuel Johnson

14. “Character is much easier kept than recovered.” — Thomas Paine

15. “Integrity is the foundation upon which all character is built.” — Unknown

16. “No legacy is so rich as honesty.” — William Shakespeare

17. “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” — Thomas Jefferson

18. “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” — Alan K. Simpson

19. “The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

20. “Honor your commitments with integrity.” — Les Brown

21. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde

22. “Integrity means that you are the same in public as you are in private.” — Joyce Meyer

23. “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” — Albert Einstein

24. “Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.” — Spencer Johnson

25. “Your reputation and integrity are everything. Follow through on what you say you’re going to do. Your credibility can only be built over time, and it is built from the history of your words and actions.” — Maria Razumich-Zec

Integrity in Actions

1. “Your actions are your only true belongings.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

2. “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. “Integrity is when your words and actions align, even when no one is watching.” — Unknown

4. “People with good intentions make promises. People with good character keep them.” — Unknown

5. “To know what is right and not do it is the want of courage.” — Confucius

6. “Your beliefs don’t make you a better person; your behavior does.” — Sukhraj S. Dhillon

7. “A person’s actions will tell you everything you need to know about them.” — Unknown

8. “The real measure of your character is what you would do if you knew you would never be found out.” — Thomas Babington Macaulay

9. “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi

10. “Your actions show what kind of person you are; your words only show what you want others to think you are.” — Unknown

11. “Integrity is keeping a commitment even after circumstances have changed.” — David Jeremiah

12. “Characterize people by their actions, and you will never be fooled by their words.” — Unknown

13. “Your actions are reflections of your thoughts. Think wisely, then act responsibly.” — Farshad Asl

14. “Your values are expressed in your actions, not your words.” — Unknown

15. “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” — Mother Teresa

16. “It’s not what you preach, it’s what you tolerate.” — Jocko Willink

17. “Well done is better than well said.” — Benjamin Franklin

18. “Integrity is when what you think, say, and do are in harmony.” — Swami Sivananda

19. “Respect is earned. Honesty is appreciated. Trust is gained. Loyalty is returned.” — Unknown

20. “Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.” — H. Jackson Brown Jr.

21. “Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

22. “People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.” — Lewis Cass

23. “Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.” — George Eliot

24. “Our character is defined by what we do when we think no one is looking.” — H. Jackson Brown Jr.

25. “Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain.” — Chris Karcher

Integrity in Leadership

1. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek

2. “The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

3. “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.” — Douglas MacArthur

4. “In looking for people to hire, look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy.” — Warren Buffett

5. “People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they preach.” — David A. Bednar

6. “Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader… They set out to make a difference.” — Lisa Haisha

7. “The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.” — Ray Kroc

8. “Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” — John C. Maxwell

9. “Real leadership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow.” — John C. Maxwell

10. “The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.” — John Wooden

11. “Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership.” — Brian Tracy

12. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell

13. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” — Warren Bennis

14. “A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” — John C. Maxwell

15. “Leading with integrity means making decisions based on what is right, not who is right.” — Unknown

16. “People follow leaders by choice. Without trust, at best you get compliance.” — Jesse Lyn Stoner

17. “A person who is quietly confident makes the best leader.” — Fred Wilson

18. “Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” — Mary Kay Ash

19. “You don’t lead by hitting people over the head. That’s assault, not leadership.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

20. “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” — Ralph Nader

21. “Leadership is not about being liked; it’s about doing what’s right.” — Unknown

22. “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” — Rosalynn Carter

23. “Integrity is the essence of everything successful.” — Buckminster Fuller

24. “Integrity is telling the truth to yourself, and honesty is telling the truth to others.” — Spencer Johnson

25. “Good leaders make people feel that they’re at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.” — Warren G. Bennis

Integrity in Adversity

1. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.” — Unknown

2. “Character is not made in a crisis—it is only exhibited.” — Robert Freeman

3. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” — Henry Ford

4. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

5. “Circumstances do not determine a man; they reveal him.” — James Allen

6. “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid; courage means you don’t let fear stop you.” — Bethany Hamilton

7. “Adversity introduces a man to himself.” — Albert Einstein

8. “The best way out is always through.” — Robert Frost

9. “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” — Bernice Johnson Reagon

10. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela

11. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

12. “Integrity is the key to standing tall through adversity.” — Unknown

13. “Adversity reveals the true self.” — Aristotle

14. “Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed.” — Bob Riley

15. “In adversity, remember to keep an even mind.” — Horace

16. “In the end, what matters most is how well we have loved, how well we have lived, and how well we have learned to let go.” — Jack Kornfield

17. “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” — Henry Ford

18. “Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men.” — Seneca

19. “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” — Napoleon Hill

20. “Integrity means that you are the same in adversity as you are in success.” — Unknown

21. “Adversity is the first path to truth.” — Lord Byron

22. “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus

23. “Our true character is revealed by the way we behave when we think no one is looking.” — Unknown

24. “The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.” — John Vance Cheney

How to Cultivate Integrity in Everyday Life

1. Practice Honesty in All Situations

Cultivating integrity starts with honesty, even in small things. Being truthful, whether it’s about your accomplishments, actions, or feelings, builds trust and aligns your inner values with your external actions. Honesty means speaking the truth without exaggeration or deceit, even if it’s uncomfortable. By practicing honesty consistently, you reinforce a foundation of integrity that others can rely on.

Remember, honesty isn’t just about big promises; it’s about being sincere in daily interactions, from casual conversations to serious commitments. Each act of honesty strengthens your integrity and reinforces your commitment to authenticity.

2. Keep Commitments and Follow Through

Following through on commitments is a key aspect of integrity. When you make promises—whether to others or yourself—keeping them demonstrates responsibility and builds trust. Integrity is displayed when you honor even minor commitments, such as meeting a friend on time or completing tasks at work.

If circumstances change and you can’t keep a commitment, communicate honestly about it. People value and remember those who are reliable and true to their word. By consistently following through, you build a reputation as someone whose actions align with their promises, a cornerstone of personal integrity.

3. Build Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is essential for cultivating integrity because it helps you understand your motivations, values, and actions. Regularly taking time to reflect on your behavior allows you to recognize areas where you may need improvement. Self-awareness means acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses honestly, and understanding why you make certain choices. Journaling, meditation, and feedback from others are effective tools for building self-awareness.

By knowing yourself better, you’re more equipped to make choices aligned with your values. Integrity requires that your actions reflect who you genuinely are, and self-awareness helps guide that alignment.

4. Align Actions with Personal Values

Integrity means aligning your actions with the values you hold dear, regardless of the situation. This alignment ensures that you’re not swayed by external pressures or immediate rewards that conflict with your principles. Take time to define your core values, such as honesty, respect, or compassion, and strive to let these guide your actions.

When faced with choices, ask yourself if they reflect these values. Acting in alignment with your values builds inner harmony, helping you make choices you can stand behind. This congruence between values and actions is the essence of true integrity.

5. Be Accountable and Admit Mistakes

No one is perfect, and integrity also involves taking responsibility for mistakes. When you hold yourself accountable, you show humility and a willingness to learn and grow. If you make a mistake, admit it without excuses and work to correct it. Apologizing sincerely and learning from missteps strengthens your integrity and builds trust with others. Accountability shows that you value honesty and personal growth over protecting your ego.

By owning your actions, especially during challenging times, you demonstrate a commitment to integrity and a desire to improve, which others respect.

6. Treat Others with Respect and Fairness

Integrity extends to how you treat those around you. Respecting others’ perspectives, time, and contributions shows that you value their humanity. Fair treatment means listening actively, considering others’ needs, and avoiding manipulation. Respect and fairness build a positive reputation and inspire trust, showing that your actions are consistent regardless of who you interact with.

Treating others with integrity also means setting aside personal biases to act fairly. When people feel respected and valued, it reinforces your own integrity and creates a culture of mutual respect that positively impacts everyone.