Integrity vs. Reliability — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Integrity refers to adherence to moral and ethical principles; reliability is the consistency of a person or system over time.
Difference Between Integrity and Reliability
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Integrity involves steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code, and is a quality of being honest and having strong principles. Reliability, on the other hand, relates to the consistency and dependability of an action or behavior over time.
One can possess integrity by consistently doing what is right, even when it is not observed by others, reflecting a personal commitment to ethical behavior. Reliability is shown through repeated actions, establishing a pattern that others can trust will continue in the future.
Integrity is often a character trait that others perceive through actions and decisions that align with morality and truthfulness. Reliability is typically judged based on past experiences, measuring how often someone or something can be counted on.
In the context of products or systems, integrity can refer to the wholeness or unimpaired state of the system, whereas reliability refers to the system's ability to perform consistently over time without failure.
Integrity can also imply a sense of completeness or wholeness within a person, suggesting an undivided or unbroken completeness in their character. In contrast, reliability may not carry implications of morality but simply indicates a likelihood of performance as expected or promised.
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Comparison Chart
Core Concept
Moral and ethical principles
Consistency over time
Applies to
People, systems, data
People, machines, systems
Judgment Criteria
Honesty, principles, moral actions
Time, dependability, accuracy
In a Professional Sense
Ethical practices, honesty in transactions
On-time delivery, meeting expectations
In Personal Sense
Doing the right thing, even when alone
Being consistently trustworthy and dependable
Compare with Definitions
Integrity
Adherence to morals
Her integrity was unimpeachable, even in times of crisis.
Reliability
Consistent performance
The reliability of this car makes it a favorite among drivers.
Integrity
Wholeness
The integrity of the artwork was maintained despite its age.
Reliability
Trustworthiness over time
Their reliability in delivering projects on time is commendable.
Integrity
Uncompromising principles
He is known for his integrity in all business dealings.
Reliability
Dependability
His reliability has earned him a reputation of being the team's backbone.
Integrity
Inner consistency
Integrity is harmony between what she believes and how she acts.
Reliability
Assurance of function
In emergency services, reliability is not a luxury, but a necessity.
Integrity
Ethical soundness
The judge’s integrity left no room for doubt about his fairness.
Reliability
Measurement of stability
The reliability of the data was verified through multiple tests.
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.
Reliability
Capable of being relied on; dependable
A reliable assistant.
A reliable car.
Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code
A leader of great integrity.
Reliability
Yielding the same or compatible results in different clinical experiments or statistical trials.
Integrity
The state of being unimpaired; soundness
The building's integrity remained intact following the mild earthquake.
Reliability
The quality of being reliable, dependable, or trustworthy.
Integrity
The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness
Replaced a lost book to restore the integrity of his collection.
Reliability
(education) the ability to measure the same thing consistently (of a measurement indicating the degree to which the measure is consistent); that is, repeated measurements would give the same result (See also validity).
Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Reliability
(engineering) measurable time of work before failure
Integrity
The state of being wholesome; unimpaired
Reliability
The state or quality of being reliable; reliableness.
Integrity
The quality or condition of being complete; pure
Reliability
The trait of being dependable or reliable
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.
Integrity
(aviation) The ability of systems to provide timely warnings to users when they should not be used for navigation.
Integrity
Trustworthiness; keeping your word.
Integrity
The state or quality of being entire or complete; wholeness; entireness; unbroken state; as, the integrity of an empire or territory.
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.
Integrity
Unimpaired, unadulterated, or genuine state; entire correspondence with an original condition; purity.
Language continued long in its purity and integrity.
Integrity
An unreduced or unbroken completeness or totality
Integrity
Moral soundness
Common Curiosities
Can you measure integrity?
Integrity is more qualitative, measured by actions aligning with ethical standards.
What is reliability?
Reliability is the quality of being trustworthy and performing consistently over time.
How do you establish reliability?
Reliability is established through consistent behavior or performance.
Is integrity important in the workplace?
Yes, integrity is crucial for trust and ethical business practices.
How does integrity affect relationships?
Integrity builds trust and respect, which are foundations of strong relationships.
Can a person be reliable but not have integrity?
Yes, someone can consistently meet obligations (reliable) but not act ethically (lack integrity).
What defines integrity?
Integrity is defined by honesty, strong moral principles, and consistency of character.
Can a machine have integrity?
In a technical sense, a machine can have integrity if it’s whole or undamaged, but it does not have moral qualities.
Can reliability improve?
Yes, through maintenance and attention to detail, reliability can improve over time.
What are signs of reliability?
Punctuality, meeting deadlines, and keeping promises indicate reliability.
Is integrity inherent or learned?
Integrity can be inherent but is often developed through personal growth.
Does reliability relate to time?
Yes, reliability often refers to consistent dependability over time.
Does integrity require consistency?
Yes, acting in line with one’s ethical principles consistently is part of integrity.
Is integrity a skill?
Integrity is not a skill but a character trait, though it can be nurtured like a skill.
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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.
