--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Integrity, honesty, and honor may not…" description: "\"Integrity, honesty, and honor may not give immediate rewards or gratification, and they can be life-threatening (for example, being a whistle-blower or..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/laura-schlessinger-1708_absence_integrity-honesty-and-honor-may-not-give_1581760.png" --- # Integrity, honesty, and honor may not give immediate… ![“Integrity, honesty, and honor may not give immediate rewards or gratification, and they can be life-threatening (for example, being a whistle-blower or turning state's evidence). The absence of integrity, honesty, and honor do not always bring punishment or scorn, and can be life-aggrandizing…” quote by Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/laura-schlessinger-1708_absence_integrity-honesty-and-honor-may-not-give_1581760.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/laura-schlessinger-1708_absence_integrity-honesty-and-honor-may-not-give_1581760.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8e/laura-schlessinger-1708_absence_integrity-honesty-and-honor-may-not-give_1581760.png) > “Integrity, honesty, and honor may not give immediate rewards or gratification, and they can be life-threatening (for example, being a whistle-blower or turning state's evidence). The absence of integrity, honesty, and honor do not always bring punishment or scorn, and can be life-aggrandizing (connivers and cheats often gain power and wealth). Therefore, morality must be its own reward.” [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Living with integrity may not bring quick benefits and can be risky, but true morality should be its own reward. **In simple terms:** Integrity can be risky but is its own reward. Key Takeaway Value honesty over short‑term gain. Themes integrity morality risk reward honesty Mood reflective serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - whistle‑blowing - legal testimony - corporate governance - political activism Key Concepts ethical philosophy personal virtue Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to act morally when it harms you? - Can society better protect those who uphold integrity? A Different Perspective Integrity can lead to personal danger or social ostracism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Cheat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheat/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Gains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gains/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Gratification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratification/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Honesty Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty-honor-3745509/) [Honesty integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty-integrity/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Integrity Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity-honesty-871017/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Morality Reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality-reward-5976773/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Scorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scorn/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Threatening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/threatening/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) [Wealth Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth-morality-5976774/) ## Related quotes > [I'd like to introduce someone who has just come into my life. I've admired him for 35 years. He's someone who represents integrity, honesty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-maclaine/i-d-like-to-introduce-someone-who-has-just-come-into-my-life-i-ve/) [Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-maclaine/) > [Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/goodness-is-about-character-integrity-honesty-kindness-generosity/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [I take my fundamental cue from John Coltrane that says there must be a priority of integrity, honesty, decency, and mastery of craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-take-my-fundamental-cue-from-john-coltrane-that-says-there-must-be/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they preach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/people-of-integrity-and-honesty-not-only-practice-what-they-preach/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/confidence-thrives-on-honesty-on-honor-on-the-sacredness-of/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [“You are an honest and honorable man, Lord Eddard. Ofttimes I forget that. I have met so few of them in my life.” He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/you-are-an-honest-and-honorable-man-lord-eddard-ofttimes-i-forget/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [When the norm is decency, other virtues can thrive: integrity, honesty, compassion, kindness, and trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raja-krishnamoorthi/when-the-norm-is-decency-other-virtues-can-thrive-integrity-honesty/) [Raja Krishnamoorthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raja-krishnamoorthi/) > [To be a person of high moral value inculcate virtue of transparency, integrity & honesty.Make yourself stand like rock,if demanding situation tries to budge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/to-be-a-person-of-high-moral-value-inculcate-virtue-of-transparency/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [“The simple rule of thumb is, if they don’t inspire you to be a better person and to live with integrity, honesty, openness, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hetherington/the-simple-rule-of-thumb-is-if-they-don-t-inspire-you-to-be-a-better/) [Michael Hetherington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hetherington/) > [I believe the best test of our integrity and honesty is when we personally enforce in our own lives that which ultimately cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/i-believe-the-best-test-of-our-integrity-and-honesty-is-when-we/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [Remember that becoming people of integrity and honesty is not simply a matter of more personal determination, more grit, and more willpower; rather, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/remember-that-becoming-people-of-integrity-and-honesty-is-not-simply/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [I am sure you will be guided right in your decision, to place implicit faith in his integrity and honesty. Best wishes from one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-milhous-nixon/i-am-sure-you-will-be-guided-right-in-your-decision-to-place-implicit/) [Hannah Milhous Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-milhous-nixon/) > [People's lives and livelihoods are often in their hands, and it is critical that judges have integrity, honesty, compassion, and impartiality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-scott/people-s-lives-and-livelihoods-are-often-in-their-hands-and-it-is/) [Phil Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-scott/) > [Integrity is honesty carried through the fibres of the being and the whole mind, into thought as well as action so that the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/integrity-is-honesty-carried-through-the-fibres-of-the-being-and-the/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [Leadership is not a position. It consists of action with transparency and to set high example of integrity, honesty and to strive for welfare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/leadership-is-not-a-position-it-consists-of-action-with-transparency/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) ## More by Laura Schlessinger > [You've touched people and known it. You've touched people and never may know it. Either way, you have something to give. It is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/you-ve-touched-people-and-known-it-you-ve-touched-people-and-never/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/don-t-worry-so-much-about-your-self-esteem-worry-more-about-your/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [I'm not cynical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/i-m-not-cynical/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [A woman should always be more concerned with standing up for what is right than making sure everyone 'likes' her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/a-woman-should-always-be-more-concerned-with-standing-up-for-what-is/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [There's no point dating a guy who can't support a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/there-s-no-point-dating-a-guy-who-can-t-support-a-family/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [There's no battered woman alive who didn't know in advance that the man was bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/there-s-no-battered-woman-alive-who-didn-t-know-in-advance-that-the/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [If there's an award for best mother-in-law in the universe, in the future, when my son gets married, I will win that award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/if-there-s-an-award-for-best-mother-in-law-in-the-universe-in-the/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Your mother doesn't own you. Your father doesn't own you. You own you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/your-mother-doesn-t-own-you-your-father-doesn-t-own-you-you-own-you/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [The path to solid, supportive, healthy relationships, self-respect, and a quality life starts with the usually painful decision to do the Right Thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-path-to-solid-supportive-healthy-relationships-self-respect-and-a/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [My sister is not a public person, so I don't think it's right to discuss her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/my-sister-is-not-a-public-person-so-i-don-t-think-it-s-right-to/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [The meaning of your life comes through your obligations to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/the-meaning-of-your-life-comes-through-your-obligations-to-others/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [I'm so happy, I can hardly spit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/i-m-so-happy-i-can-hardly-spit/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Make believe I'm right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/make-believe-i-m-right/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Everything I say is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/everything-i-say-is-true/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [Never sell your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/never-sell-your-soul/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) [Explore all 214 Laura Schlessinger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) ## More Absence quotes > [Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [The work, the work, the work. 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The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There, in the center of that silence was not eternity but the death of time and a loneliness so profound the word itself had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/there-in-the-center-of-that-silence-was-not-eternity-but-the-death-of/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willa-cather/of-all-the-bewildering-things-about-a-new-country-the-absence-of/) [Willa Cather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willa-cather/) > [Young men have strong passions and tend to gratify them indiscriminately. Of the bodily desires, it is the sexual by which they are most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/young-men-have-strong-passions-and-tend-to-gratify-them/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It is suggested that in domestic violence at least the presence or absence of a firearm, or of any other type of weapon, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-greenwood/it-is-suggested-that-in-domestic-violence-at-least-the-presence-or/) [Colin Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-greenwood/) > [The absence of God in most spheres of life is perceived to be normal, and even Christians feel it as normal - which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-absence-of-god-in-most-spheres-of-life-is-perceived-to-be-normal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. 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Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) [Browse all 2,057 Absence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Integrity, honesty, and honor may not give immediate rewards or gratification, and they can be life-threatening (for example, being a whistle-blower or turning state's evidence). The absence of integrity, honesty, and honor do not always bring punishment or scorn, and can be life-aggrandizing (connivers and cheats often gain power and wealth). 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