COLUMN: Personal integrity–make it be a part of your lives
“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinions.
It is easy in solitude to live after our own.
But the great man is he, who in the midst of a crowd,
Keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Personal integrity is founded upon an individual’s ability to uphold true values, regardless of the crowd’s opinions. It lies within the courage to accept physical or monetary loss in order to do what is right. Integrity is the glue that holds the world together. Without it, people are destroyed and the demise of nations is imminent. History has portrayed this all too well.
What is integrity, and what does it mean to you? Webster describes integrity as honesty, sincerity and wholeness. Based on this definition, are you an individual that could be described as being full of integrity? Are you predictable in matters concerning honesty? Do people associate attributes of integrity with the mentioning of your name? To illustrate this last question, I’d like to portray two individuals in history, Nathan Hale and Benedict Arnold.
Nathan Hale, a spy for the Patriot army in the Revolutionary War, was captured by the British army and brought before General Howe. Impressed by Hale’s intricate detail in the maps he had made of the British forces, Howe tried to convince Hale to defect and become a spy for the British.
Hale was promised fame and life, but solidly refused. The following day on the gallows, he made this remark, “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” He was then hung at the age of 21. Today he is regarded as one of the great heroes of the American Revolution.
Benedict Arnold, a leader in the Patriot army, was regarded as a great military genius. He was influential in winning the battle of Saratoga and was regarded as a hero. Later, he became embittered toward the American army in feeling he received a lack of recognition for his efforts in that battle.
He left the Patriots and joined the British forces. It is said of him, “He turned from one of the great heroes of the American Revolution into the epitome of traitorousness,” according to http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle/ben.arnold.leg.html. After the war, Arnold returned to Britain and lived out his days.
Integrity cannot be better described than by Nathan Hale’s life. His willingness to give up life to protect his integrity, and thus his country, should be an example to all.
On the other hand, Arnold lived, but gave up everything of true value. At the mention of his name, the words traitor or turncoat come to mind. Integrity is not a part of his character.
Establish a name for yourself, as did Nathan Hale. Set a course that is charted by an uncompromising will to be full of integrity in all measures. Do not sell out your name cheaply as did Arnold. Be an individual of impeccable character.
Cade Davis is the College of Agriculture senator. Comments can be sent to cbdavis@cc.usu.edu.