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Integrity vs. Sincerity — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
"Integrity" relates to upholding moral principles consistently, while "sincerity" pertains to genuine feelings or intentions without deceit.
Integrity vs. Sincerity — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Integrity and Sincerity

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Key Differences

Integrity is often considered as a steadfast adherence to a moral or ethical code. It's not merely about telling the truth; it's about being whole and consistent in one's actions, values, methods, and principles. On the other hand, sincerity deals more with the genuineness of one's feelings or intentions. A sincere person speaks and acts without any pretense or deceit, ensuring their inner feelings align with their outward expressions.
An individual with integrity might uphold their values even when it's challenging or detrimental to them. They might refuse to lie or cheat even if it might bring short-term benefits. Conversely, sincerity might be seen in someone who genuinely apologizes and means it, or someone who expresses joy, sadness, or gratitude without any ulterior motive or facade.
For instance, a person with integrity will consistently make choices that align with their core values, regardless of external pressures or potential gains. Their actions are predictable based on their stated principles. In contrast, sincerity can be observed in the moments when someone shares a heartfelt compliment, gives honest feedback, or genuinely expresses their emotions without any fakeness or hidden agendas.
It's worth noting that while integrity and sincerity are different, they can be intertwined. A person with strong integrity often acts with sincerity, and a sincere person, when faced with moral decisions, will likely act with integrity. However, it's also possible for someone to be sincere in their intentions but lack integrity in their actions, and vice versa.
In essence, while both integrity and sincerity contribute to the character of an individual, integrity emphasizes consistency in upholding values, while sincerity highlights the authenticity of one's feelings and expressions.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Upholding moral principles
Genuine feelings without deceit

Focus

Actions and consistency
Intentions and emotions

Demonstration

Making ethical choices
Being heartfelt or genuine in expressions

Consistency

Stays the same over time
Can vary based on genuine feelings at the moment

Relation to Truth

Adherence to truth in actions
Expression of true feelings

Compare with Definitions

Integrity

Consistency in actions, values, and outcomes.
His integrity was evident in his consistent voting record.

Sincerity

The quality of being free from pretense or deceit.
His sincerity was evident in his heartfelt apology.

Integrity

Adherence to moral and ethical principles.
Her integrity prevented her from cheating on the test.

Sincerity

Truthfulness in expression or act.
The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable.

Integrity

The quality of being honest and having strong moral values.
He was known for his integrity in all business dealings.

Sincerity

Authenticity in emotions or intentions.
She accepted the compliment, knowing the sincerity behind it.

Integrity

The state of being whole or undivided.
The bridge's integrity was compromised after the storm.

Sincerity

Genuine feelings or intentions.
She expressed her gratitude with utmost sincerity.

Integrity

The soundness of moral character.
People trusted her because of her undeniable integrity.

Sincerity

Sincerity is the virtue of one who communicates and acts in accordance with the entirety of their feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and desires in a manner that is honest and genuine.

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.

Sincerity

The absence of pretence, deceit, or hypocrisy
The sincerity of his beliefs is unquestionable

Integrity

Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code
A leader of great integrity.

Sincerity

The quality or condition of being sincere; genuineness, honesty, and freedom from duplicity.

Integrity

The state of being unimpaired; soundness
The building's integrity remained intact following the mild earthquake.

Sincerity

The quality or state of being sincere

Integrity

The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness
Replaced a lost book to restore the integrity of his collection.

Sincerity

The quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation, hypocrisy, disguise, or false pretense; sincereness.
I protest, in the sincerity of love.
Sincerity is a duty no less plain than important.

Integrity

Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.

Sincerity

An earnest and sincere feeling

Integrity

The state of being wholesome; unimpaired

Sincerity

The quality of being open and truthful; not deceitful or hypocritical;
His sincerity inspired belief
They demanded some proof of my sincerity

Integrity

The quality or condition of being complete; pure

Sincerity

A quality of naturalness and simplicity;
The simple sincerity of folk songs

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.

Sincerity

The trait of being serious;
A lack of solemnity is not necessarily a lack of seriousness

Integrity

(aviation) The ability of systems to provide timely warnings to users when they should not be used for navigation.

Sincerity

Absence of feigning or hypocrisy.
His sincerity was refreshing in the world of politics.

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

How are integrity and sincerity related?

Both contribute to an individual's character; integrity emphasizes values, while sincerity emphasizes authenticity.

Is it possible to be sincere but lack integrity?

Yes, a person can genuinely express feelings but may not always act ethically.

What does integrity mean?

Integrity refers to consistently upholding moral and ethical principles.

Can sincerity be faked?

While some may feign sincerity, true sincerity is genuine and free from deceit.

How can organizations promote integrity?

By establishing ethical guidelines, offering training, and leading by example.

How can one demonstrate sincerity?

By expressing feelings or intentions without pretense or hidden motives.

How is sincerity defined?

Sincerity is expressing feelings or intentions genuinely without deceit.

Why is sincerity valued in communication?

Sincerity fosters trust, understanding, and genuine connections between individuals.

Can someone have integrity but not sincerity?

Yes, someone might consistently uphold values but not always express genuine feelings.

Is integrity always about telling the truth?

While truthfulness is a part of integrity, it also encompasses consistency in actions and values.

Why is integrity important in the workplace?

Integrity fosters trust, accountability, and a positive work environment.

How can one cultivate integrity?

By reflecting on one's values, being self-aware, and striving for consistency in actions.

Can integrity be taught?

While some believe it's innate, integrity can be nurtured through positive examples and ethical education.

Does sincerity always mean honesty?

Sincerity is about genuine feelings; one can be sincere but misinformed.

Is sincerity subjective?

While the expression of sincerity may vary, its core—being genuine—is objective.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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