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Honesty
Honesty is in principle, an upright disposition; moral rectitude of heart; a disposition to conform to justice and correct moral principles, in all social transactions. In fact, upright conduct; an actual conformity to justice and moral rectitude; fairness; candor; truth; as the honesty of a narrative; frank sincerity. Honesty is chiefly applicable to social transactions, or mutual dealings in the exchange of property.
–Webster’s American Dictionary
Honesty is the quality or condition of being honest; integrity; truthfulness; sincerity. Honesty, honor, integrity, probity, and rectitude denote the quality of being upright in principle and action
–Oxford English Dictionary
“We each stand alone and upright as a pillar unto our own honesty, honor, and integrity.”–Edna Lister
Honesty implies truthfulness, fairness in dealing with others, and refusal to engage in fraud, deceit, or dissembling. Honesty is an absolute and an abstract principle, a law of being, and a virtue. Honesty is being upright in mind and ethics, a factor in our moral syzygy (alignment with the Good, the True, and the Beautiful).
John Fletcher, a playwright who co-authored with William Shakespeare, said, Man is his own star and the soul that can render an honest and perfect man commands all light, all influence, all fate.
–Edna Lister, The Word, September 18, 1934
God has given you the power of an upright mind.–Edna Lister, February 7, 1939
Illumination tells you whether a thing is true, honest or just.–Edna Lister, The Jewels of the Madonna, July 9, 1944
Unless you desire to serve in illusion and lead others into illusion, you must raise the veil by plodding practice, honest and honorable obedience to law.–Edna Lister, October 20, 1944
Become observant of self-delusions, to speak truth upon each thought, action, desire of self. It teaches you law as well as forming a bulwark against misuse of law.–Edna Lister, January 4, 1945
We each stand alone and upright as a pillar unto our own honesty, honor, and integrity.–Edna Lister, July 2, 1945
You must practice extreme honesty and honor with your self at all times. No selfishness, supplied by the subconscious through reasoning, may be allowed, ever. Be not dishonest or dishonorable with self.–Edna Lister, July 10, 1945
Live by the Declaration of Unquenchable Love honestly.–Edna Lister, July 13, 1949
You must have the uprightness of joy.–Edna Lister, July 22, 1949
The first conscious memory is just a beginning in a self-analysis. If you are really honest, you will dig out the cause.–Edna Lister, December 18, 1952
Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
–Philippians 4:8. When you think on things of praiseworthy virtue, your imagination must build the right molds.–Edna Lister, What Is Your Gift? June 12, 1955
When you have become the law of honesty, you no longer lie or steal; you do not boast about not lying or stealing, and you never accuse the other fellow.–Edna Lister, Ambassadors of Love, July 8, 1956
Examine your pride regularly, for it often keeps you from being honest.–Edna Lister, July 24, 1958
Do not exalt your sense of honesty at the expense of others. Your responsibility is to yourself and you must rise to a much higher sense of honor.–Edna Lister, Steadfastness Through Vigilance, June 19, 1960
You must be honest with God, and with your self.–Edna Lister, Comprehension and Recompense, November 7, 1965
Top ↑Provide things honest in the sight of all men.–Romans 12:17
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.–Romans 13:13.
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.–1 Peter 5:2-4.
Top ↑Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.–Psalm 15
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.–Psalm 37:37
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness–Psalm 112:4
Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.–Proverbs 13:11
An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.–Proverbs 29:27
Top ↑Honesty in Other Sacred Writings
Insight on dying young: He pleased God, and was beloved of him, so that he was translated; speedily he was taken away, lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the glamor of immorality obscures things that are honest; and the wandering of selfish desires undermines the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hastened He to take him away.–Wisdom of Solomon 4:10-14
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Edna Miriam Lister1884–1971
The original Pioneering Mystic,
Christian Platonist philosopher, American Idealist, Founder, Society of the Universal Living Christ, minister, teacher, author, wife, and mother.
Etymology of honesty: Latin honestus, "honorable," from honos, "honor."
Honesty is an absolute principle.
Honesty is an abstract principle.
Honesty is a law of being.
Honesty is a soul virtue.
Quotes
Honesty is the best policy.–Benjamin Franklin
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.–Thomas Jefferson
The very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.–Plutarch
No legacy is so rich as honesty.–William Shakespeare
References
Franklin, Benjamin. Franklin Papers.org.
Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, 2024.
The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV).
Jefferson, Thomas. letter to Nathaniel Macon, January 12, 1819.
The Nag Hammadi Library. James M. Robinson, ed. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1988.
The Oxford English Dictionary: Compact Ed., 2 vols. E.S.C. Weiner, ed. Oxford University Press, 1971.
Plutarch. On the Training of Children
. Plutarch’s Moralia: Twenty Essays by Plutarch. Philemon Holland, translator. London: Dent; New York: Dutton, 1911.
Shakespeare, William All’s Well That Ends Well, Act 3, Scene 5.
Webster, Noah. "Honesty," Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language. New York: S. Converse, 1828.
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