Integrity vs Character

Character and integrity are both important, but they are not synonymous. In fact, integrity without the right character can spell trouble! Here are the dictionary’s descriptions:

Character: The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category.

Based on this description, it’s easiest to think of character as one’s moral and ethical code. It is a combination of inside traits that determine outward behavior. Now look at the definition of integrity:

Integrity: Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.

When you combine character and integrity here’ s what you get: character is one’s moral and ethical code, and integrity means that one lives according to that code. Thus, someone who lives with integrity, lives according to their moral values. That being said, you must first determine the moral values–the code–of that person in order to ascertain whether or not living with integrity is a good or bad thing. For example: If someone has a moral code that says they should inflict injury upon a person of another religion or race and they do so they are, by definition, living with integrity. Unsettling, isn’t it?

On the other hand, if an individual has a strong moral and ethical code but compromises what is right when it serves popular opinion, or in order to achieve personal gain, they are not living with integrity. Despite the quality of their character, their failure to live by their code creates significant behavioral problems.

by Dave Anderson