Q. Integrity is the value which empowers human beings. Discuss.
What is Integrity?
Integrity refers to the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that one
consistently adheres to, regardless of the situation or consequence.
• It is about wholeness of character—where actions, thoughts, and words are aligned
with ethical values.
• Integrity is not situational but constant; it is the bedrock of ethical behavior.
Quote:
"Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." – C.S. Lewis
Why Integrity Empowers Human Beings
a. Builds Self-Confidence and Inner Strength
• A person with integrity lives without guilt or fear, gaining psychological strength.
• Example: Mahatma Gandhi's steadfast adherence to truth (Satyagraha) gave him
the moral courage to fight the British Empire non-violently.
b. Enables Trust and Credibility
• Integrity earns respect and credibility in professional and personal life.
• Example: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was trusted by political leaders and the public alike
due to his uprightness and incorruptibility.
c. Promotes Ethical Leadership
• Leaders with integrity set moral standards and inspire others.
• Example: Lal Bahadur Shastri returned the money for a government trip when his
wife accompanied him unofficially, setting an example of public accountability.
d. Guides Moral Decision-Making
• In difficult ethical dilemmas, integrity helps individuals stay anchored to their core
values.
• Example: A whistleblower like Edward Snowden (global) or Ashok Khemka (India)
showed personal sacrifice to uphold public interest.
e. Empowers Administrators and Public Servants
• Upholding integrity ensures fair governance and prevents corruption.
• Example: E. Sreedharan, known as the “Metro Man of India”, transformed public
infrastructure with integrity and efficiency.
Integrity in Professional and Societal Contexts
Context Empowerment through Integrity
An officer maintaining impartiality and rule of law earns the public's trust
Civil Services
and makes impactful decisions.
Corporate Ethical business leaders like Ratan Tata are respected globally and build
Sector sustainable institutions.
Social Integrity fuels credibility—e.g., Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement
Movements drew public support due to his personal integrity.
Integrity is the foundation of impartial justice; without it, faith in the legal
Judiciary
system collapses.
Quotes to Reinforce the Argument
• “Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know
whether you did it or not.” – Oprah Winfrey
• “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.” – Confucius
• “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give
him power.” – Abraham Lincoln (highlights integrity in power)
Ethical Theories Supporting Integrity
• Kantian Ethics: Emphasizes duty and consistency in moral action, which integrity
encapsulates.
• Virtue Ethics (Aristotle): Integrity is a cardinal virtue enabling eudaimonia
(flourishing life).
• Gandhian Ethics: Integrity is truth (satya), which empowers atma (soul) and
strengthens ahimsa.
Integrity is not just a personal virtue but a public necessity. It empowers individuals to:
• Act with courage,
• Inspire change,
• Ensure justice,
• And lead with example.
In a world full of temptations and moral compromises, integrity remains the most
empowering value, guiding human action toward the good of the self and society.
“With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide.” – Zig Ziglar
Consequences of Lack of Integrity
Breakdown of Trust
• Pointer: Without integrity, individuals and institutions lose credibility.
• Example: In the Satyam Scam (2009), falsification of accounts by Ramalinga Raju led
to the collapse of investor trust in the Indian IT sector.
• Result: Shareholders, employees, and clients suffered massive losses.
Rise in Corruption and Misgovernance
• Pointer: Absence of integrity among public officials leads to misuse of power and
public funds.
• Example: Commonwealth Games Scam (2010)—allegations of inflated contracts and
embezzlement damaged India’s global image.
• Result: Wastage of taxpayer money and erosion of faith in government.
Ethical Collapse in Institutions
• Pointer: Institutions without ethical anchors face long-term damage.
• Example: Enron Scandal—top executives manipulated accounts and caused one of
the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history.
• Result: Thousands lost jobs and savings; regulation was overhauled (Sarbanes-Oxley
Act).
Erosion of Personal Reputation
• Pointer: A person who acts without integrity may gain temporarily but loses lifelong
respect.
• Example: A civil servant taking bribes might become rich, but one exposure damages
career and social standing permanently.
Social Cynicism and Apathy
• Pointer: When citizens perceive widespread lack of integrity, civic engagement
declines.
• Example: Voter apathy in urban areas is often rooted in the perception that all
politicians are corrupt.
• Result: Weak democratic participation and rise of unethical leaders.
Loss of Self-Respect and Inner Conflict
• Pointer: Dishonesty leads to guilt, fear, and internal emotional damage.
• Example: A student cheating in exams may succeed momentarily but lives with fear
of exposure and loses confidence in their abilities.
Deterioration of Team and Organizational Culture
• Pointer: One dishonest employee can spread a toxic work culture.
• Example: In companies where favoritism or fudging numbers is tolerated, merit and
motivation decline rapidly.
• Result: Talented individuals leave, productivity suffers.
National and Global Repercussions
• Pointer: Corruption and lack of integrity affect international relations and
investment.
• Example: Pakistan’s grey-listing by FATF due to terror funding and lack of financial
integrity hurt its global standing and economy.
Without Integrity Consequence Example
Trust deficit Loss of public faith Satyam, Enron
Corruption Poor governance CWG Scam, 2G Scam
Students cheating or lying in
Emotional conflict Guilt, anxiety
interviews
Institutional decay Ethical erosion Unethical police or judicial practices
Social Political apathy, voter
Urban voter turnout in India
disengagement cynicism
Quote to Conclude:
“When integrity is lost, it’s just a matter of time before everything else falls apart.” –
Unknown
Statement by Warren Buffett:
“While hiring people in the organization we should look for three qualities: Integrity,
Aptitude, and Energy. However, if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.”
What it Means
Aptitude + Energy – Integrity = Disaster
• Example: Enron Scandal (USA)
The executives were intelligent (aptitude) and hardworking (energy) but lacked
integrity.
→ They used their skills to manipulate financial statements and deceive stakeholders.
→ Outcome: Bankruptcy, loss of thousands of jobs, and erosion of public trust.
Aptitude + Energy – Integrity = Corruption
• Example: Nirav Modi Scam (India)
Nirav Modi was a sharp businessman with global ambitions (aptitude + energy).
→ But he exploited banking loopholes and fled India with ₹13,000 crore.
→ Outcome: Massive NPA crisis, loss of taxpayer money, international
embarrassment.
Bureaucratic Example:
• Example: A Smart but Corrupt Officer
An IAS officer with high aptitude (cracks UPSC) and energy (executes big projects)
but lacks integrity.
→ Misuses power for personal gain, awards tenders to cronies.
→ Outcome: Short-term success, but eventually caught, loses job, and harms public
trust.
Corporate Example:
• Example: Volkswagen Emissions Scandal
Engineers had high aptitude and worked energetically on diesel engine software.
→ But they lacked integrity and designed a cheat device to pass emission tests.
→ Outcome: $30 billion in penalties, lawsuits, brand damage.
Political Example:
• Example: A Charismatic Politician with No Integrity
A leader who is smart and dynamic but engages in hate speech and divisive politics.
→ Uses intelligence and energy to polarize people.
→ Outcome: Social unrest, institutional damage.
Personal Life Example:
• Example: A Talented Student who Cheats
A topper (aptitude) with high ambition (energy) cheats in competitive exams or
plagiarizes.
→ Outcome: Gets disqualified, blacklisted, and faces lifelong shame.
Contrast Example: E. Sreedharan (“Metro Man”)
• High aptitude (engineer), unmatched energy (dedicated to deadlines), and full
integrity.
• Result: Delhi Metro completed on time, under budget, and widely admired.
→ Positive synergy when all three traits exist.
Conclusion
Without integrity, intelligence and enthusiasm become weapons of destruction rather than
tools of progress.
Warren Buffett’s quote reminds us that character is the foundation upon which all other
skills must stand.
