Honesty vs. Integrity — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
"Honesty" refers to telling the truth and being straightforward in your actions. "Integrity" is a broader concept that involves being morally upright and consistent in all aspects of life.
Difference Between Honesty and Integrity
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Key Differences
"Honesty" is the quality of being truthful, sincere, and free from deceit or fraud. It specifically focuses on factual accuracy and fairness. "Integrity," on the other hand, encompasses not just truthfulness but also other moral and ethical principles. It signifies a person's overall moral soundness and adherence to ethical codes.
Both "honesty" and "integrity" can be used as nouns but they have different grammatical properties. For example, you can be "honest" (adjective) but you cannot be "integrity" (no corresponding adjective). The term "honest" describes a characteristic, whereas "integrity" usually refers to a state or condition of being morally upright.
The etymology of the word "honesty" comes from the Old French word "honesté," which has roots in Latin’s "honestas," relating to honor. "Integrity" derives from the Latin word "integritas," meaning wholeness, or completeness. While "honesty" often pertains to isolated actions or statements, "integrity" is about the whole character.
In terms of implications, being "honest" could mean you tell the truth when asked or present facts as they are. "Integrity," however, goes beyond that to include adhering to ethical or moral principles even when no one is watching. While "honesty" may pertain to specific situations, "integrity" is a lifestyle choice.
Comparison Chart
Type of Word
Noun, Adjective ("honest")
Noun
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Refers to
Factual Accuracy, Truthfulness
Ethical Principles, Moral Uprightness
Grammatical Role
"be honest"
"have integrity"
Origin
Old French "honesté"
Latin "integritas"
Usage in Sentence
"She was honest about her mistake."
"He acted with integrity."
Compare with Definitions
Honesty
Freedom from deceit or fraud.
The honesty of the report was unquestionable.
Integrity
Soundness of moral character.
His integrity could not be questioned.
Honesty
The act of presenting facts as they are.
The honesty of his documentary was refreshing.
Integrity
Adherence to moral and ethical principles.
Her integrity was never in doubt.
Honesty
The quality of being truthful and straightforward.
Her honesty won her many friends.
Integrity
The quality of being honest and morally upright.
He lived his life with integrity.
Honesty
An ethical principle based on truthfulness.
Honesty is the best policy.
Integrity
Consistency in actions, values, and principles.
She acted with integrity throughout the ordeal.
Honesty
Sincerity in action, character, and utterance.
His honesty was apparent in every aspect of his life.
Integrity
The state of being whole, undivided, or unbroken.
The structural integrity of the bridge was compromised.
Honesty
Honesty is a facet of moral character that connotes positive and virtuous attributes such as integrity, truthfulness, straightforwardness, including straightforwardness of conduct, along with the absence of lying, cheating, theft, etc. Honesty also involves being trustworthy, loyal, fair, and sincere.
Integrity
Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions.
Honesty
The quality or condition of being honest; integrity.
Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code
A leader of great integrity.
Honesty
Truthfulness; sincerity
In all honesty.
Integrity
The state of being unimpaired; soundness
The building's integrity remained intact following the mild earthquake.
Honesty
(Archaic) Chastity.
Integrity
The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness
Replaced a lost book to restore the integrity of his collection.
Honesty
(Botany) A Eurasian plant (Lunaria annua) in the mustard family, cultivated for its fragrant purplish flowers and round, flat, papery, translucent, silver-white seedpods. Also called money plant, satin flower.
Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Honesty
The act, quality, or condition of being honest.
Academic / artistic / emotional / intellectual honesty
Brutal / devastating / searing honesty
Integrity
The state of being wholesome; unimpaired
Honesty
Honor; decency, propriety.
Integrity
The quality or condition of being complete; pure
Honesty
Chastity.
Integrity
(cryptography) With regards to data encryption, ensuring that information is not altered by unauthorized persons in a way that is not detectable by authorized users.
Honesty
(countable) Any of various crucifers in the genus Lunaria, several of which are grown as ornamentals, particularly Lunaria annua.
Integrity
(aviation) The ability of systems to provide timely warnings to users when they should not be used for navigation.
Honesty
Honor; honorableness; dignity; propriety; suitableness; decency.
She derives her honesty and achieves her goodness.
Integrity
Trustworthiness; keeping your word.
Honesty
The quality or state of being honest; probity; fairness and straightforwardness of conduct, speech, etc.; integrity; sincerity; truthfulness; freedom from fraud or guile.
That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Integrity
The state or quality of being entire or complete; wholeness; entireness; unbroken state; as, the integrity of an empire or territory.
Honesty
Chastity; modesty.
To lay . . . siege to the honesty of this Ford's wife.
Integrity
Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; - used especially with reference to the fulfillment of contracts, the discharge of agencies, trusts, and the like; uprightness; rectitude.
The moral grandeur of independent integrity is the sublimest thing in nature.
Their sober zeal, integrity, and worth.
Honesty
Satin flower; the name of two cruciferous herbs having large flat pods, the round shining partitions of which are more beautiful than the blossom; - called also lunary and moonwort. Lunaria biennis is common honesty; Lunaria rediva is perennial honesty.
Integrity
Unimpaired, unadulterated, or genuine state; entire correspondence with an original condition; purity.
Language continued long in its purity and integrity.
Honesty
The quality of being honest
Integrity
An unreduced or unbroken completeness or totality
Honesty
Southeastern European plant cultivated for its fragrant purplish flowers and round flat papery silver-white seedpods that are used for indoor decoration
Integrity
Moral soundness
Common Curiosities
What is Honesty?
Honesty is the quality of being truthful and straightforward.
Can you have Honesty without Integrity?
Yes, you can be honest in specific situations without having overall integrity.
Is Integrity just about being moral?
It involves more than that, including consistency and adherence to ethical codes.
Can you have Integrity without Honesty?
Generally, no. Honesty is a component of integrity.
What is Integrity?
Integrity involves being morally upright and consistent in all aspects of life.
Does Honesty have an antonym?
Yes, dishonesty.
Is Honesty just about telling the truth?
Primarily, yes. It's about being truthful and straightforward.
How is Integrity used in a sentence?
Example: "He acted with integrity."
Is Integrity objective or subjective?
It can be both, as it involves personal and societal moral codes.
How is Honesty used in a sentence?
Example: "She was honest about her past."
Is Honesty objective or subjective?
It's generally considered objective, based on facts.
Does Integrity have an antonym?
Yes, it's often considered to be dishonesty or corruption.
Can Honesty change over time?
The facts don't change, but perspectives on honesty might.
Can Integrity change over time?
Yes, it can evolve based on life experiences and changes in moral understanding.
Are Honesty and Integrity valued in every culture?
While specifics may vary, these principles are generally valued across cultures.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
