Integrity

Integrity refers to an unchanging character. Regardless of the circumstances, a person of integrity maintains his purpose, keeps his promises, and does his duty.

More than that, a person of integrity becomes the moral and spiritual center of his or her family and community. Others depend on him, trust him and rely on him.

As Father Moon teaches, just as diamonds and gold are valued for their unchanging brilliance, a person of diamond-like value has an unchanging character. One great test of integrity is duty; another is adversity.

They place principle above expediency, as did Rama, the hero of the Hindu Ramayana who refused a kingdom rather than disobey his father’s wishes.

It is tempting to regard fulfilling a duty as an opportunity for wealth or personal advancement. It is a challenge to maintain a friendly disposition in adverse circumstances.

It is even more difficult to fulfill one’s obligations when doing so puts one at risk of life. However, a person of integrity disregards the circumstances and fulfills a duty for its own sake. Having taken on a task, he or she pursues it to the end with an unchanging mind.

A Life Based upon Principle

He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. Proverbs 10.9

When one follows unswervingly the path of virtue, it is not to win advancement. When one invariably keeps one’s word, it is not to establish the rectitude of one’s actions. A gentleman merely follows the norm and awaits his destiny. Mencius VII.B.33

Virtue is the root; wealth is the result. If he makes the root his secondary object, and the result his primary, he will only wrangle with his people and teach them rapine. Great Learning 10.7-8 (Confucianism)

Not to be cheered by praise, Not to be grieved by blame, But to know thoroughly one’s own virtues and powers Are characteristics of an excellent man. Precious Treasury of Elegant Sayings 29 (Buddhism)

If one’s mind is sorrowless, stainless and secure, and is not disturbed when affected by worldly vicissitudes, this is the highest blessing. Sutta Nipata 268 (Buddhism)

To gain a good reputation, be the kind of person that you want people to think you are. Socrates (Hellenism)

Without goodness a man “cannot for long endure adversity; cannot for long endure prosperity.” The good man rests content with goodness; he that is merely wise pursues goodness in the belief that it pays to do so. Analects 4.2 (Confucianism)

Make [virtue] your first object. Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give up the earth itself and all it contains, rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing. Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly. Thomas Jefferson

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
When we call someone a person of character, we are not referring to appearance, education,8 career or position. We look not at class or outward glory, but to what extent he or she is leading a principled life. A person with an unchanging mind to serve Heaven, who lives according to God’s will with such a mind—that is a person of character. (19:285, March 10, 1968)

Does human character have bones? Have you ever seen the bone of character? Personality is what appears outwardly. That is the visible aspect; however, there is a hidden, bone-like foundation of character that is responsible for the visible aspect. It is the invisible cause of the visible personality. (177:315, May 22, 1988)

We should have this attitude: “I am inheriting God’s undiluted tradition; therefore, I must always go the straight path. I have to win over all unrighteousness.

Although it takes thousands of times more effort to subjugate force with something other than force, I will solve every problem and overcome any circumstance.” In this way, we should establish our integrity as people loyal to Heaven. We should start with a pure mind and continue without faltering until we achieve the goal. (21:83, October 27, 1968)

We can never establish one unified world if we have a changing standard of goodness. A center must never move. The deeper it is, the calmer it should be. Look at the ocean: waves may rage on the surface because of a storm, but deep below the ocean is still. Let us learn from this. (Way of God’s Will 2.2)

I want you to know that precious things, like diamonds, carry their own power and value. Others see that value and respect it and are moved by it. Who is the more precious person, one who is influenced by others or one who can influence others?

What kind of person are you? Among those who influence others, the person having the best influence is the most precious person. (118:95, May 9, 1982)

The saints and sages who appeared in history are the best historical examples of true people. Why do we call them “true”? Something true is not only true in the present. It must be true in the past, true in the present and true in the future. Its truth transcends all circumstances.

Therefore, a true person stands at the center of the past, the center of the present, and the center of the future. Among the people in the world, who is nearest to being “true”? Is it a parent or a teacher you once had?

Countless people have lived and died, but the person who should establish the basis of truth is none other than you yourself.

Where, then, is your closest link to the truth? It is your conscience. We often say of a person, “He is conscientious. He has an upright mind.” What does it mean for one’s mind to be upright? It is upright in the past, it is upright in the present, and it will be upright in the future. (28:159, January 11, 1970)

March forward, trusting yourself. You should have the integrity to go forth absolutely alone. (Way of God’s Will 1.4)

People of Integrity Fulfill Their Duty

Those who believe and keep their duty, theirs are good tidings in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. Qur’an 10.63-64

All a gentleman can do in starting an enterprise is to leave behind a tradition which can be carried on. Heaven alone can grant success. Mencius I.B.14 (Confucianism)

The moral man conforms himself to his life circumstances; he does not desire anything outside his position. Finding himself in a position of wealth and honor, he lives as becomes one living in a position of wealth and honor. Finding himself in a position of poverty and humble circumstances, he lives as becomes one living in a position of poverty and humble circumstances. Finding himself in uncivilized countries, he lives as becomes one living in uncivilized countries. Finding himself in circumstances of danger and difficulty, he acts according to what is required of a man under such circumstances. In one word, the moral man can find himself in no situation in life in which he is not master of himself. In high position he does not domineer over his subordinates. In a subordinate position, he does not court the favors of his superiors. He puts in order his own personal conduct and seeks nothing from others; hence he has no complaint to make. He complains not against God, nor rails against men. Thus it is that the moral man lives out the even tenor of his life, calmly waiting for the appointment of God, whereas the vulgar person takes to dangerous courses, expecting the uncertain chances of luck. Doctrine of the Mean 14 (Confucianism)

He who does not fulfill his duty is not respected by honest men. It is how he acts that reveals the nobility or baseness of a man and distinguishes the honest or the dishonest person; otherwise the ignoble would resemble the noble, and he who is devoid of honor would resemble a man of integrity; he who is unworthy would be deemed worthy and he who is depraved would be considered to be a man of virtue. If, under the pretext of duty, I adopt this unrighteous course, calculated to produce the confusion of social roles, and do acts not recognized by the scriptures, I should, renouncing good, have to reap evil only!9 What sensible man, able to discern what is just and unjust, would respect me in this world, if I behaved viciously and dishonorably?… Why should I, Rama, not fulfill the command of my father, who was a devotee of truth? Neither ambition, forgetfulness, nor pride would cause me to destroy the bridge of morality! Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda 109 (Hinduism)

Tzu-kao, Duke of She, who was being sent on a mission to Ch’i, consulted Confucius. “The king is sending me on a very important mission. Ch’i will probably treat me with great honor but will be in no hurry to do anything more. Even a commoner cannot be forced to act, much less one of the feudal lords. I am distressed about it…” Confucius said, “In the world, there are two great decrees: one is fate and the other is duty. That a son should love his parent is fate—you cannot erase this from his heart. That a subject should serve his ruler is duty—there is no place he can go and be without his ruler, no place he can escape to between heaven and earth. These are called the great decrees. Therefore, to serve your parents and be content to follow them anywhere—this is the perfection of filial piety. To serve your ruler and be content to do anything for him—this is the peak of loyalty. And to serve your own mind so that sadness or joy do not sway or move it; to understand what you can do nothing about and be content with it as with fate—this is the perfection of virtue. As a subject and a son, you are bound to find things you cannot avoid. If you act in accordance with the state of affairs and forget about yourself, then what leisure will you have to love life and hate death?… “Just go along with things and let your mind move freely. Resign yourself to what cannot be avoided and nourish what is within you—this is best. What more do you have to do to fulfill your mission? Nothing is as good as following orders—that is how difficult it is!” Chuang Tzu 4 (Taoism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
A loyal subject and a treacherous subject originally belong to the same class of people. The only difference is that the former is obedient to the will of the king while the latter makes much of himself before everything else. A loyal subject always walks a straight line; the beginning and end of his works are the same. (Way of God’s Will 2.2)

Because most people do not have an absolute center, they change their minds day and night. We cannot call them people of character. People of character keep their promises and have a high standard of righteousness.

Once things are decided, they do not make any excuses. You should become people like that. Even if the laws of the universe were to change, you should never deviate from fulfilling what you have promised. (23:100, May 14, 1969)

By faithfully living according to Heaven’s principles, we should find and establish our value. That value represents our original relationship with Heaven, our original relationship with people, and our original relationship with the universe.

Once you restore your eternally unchanging integrity before God’s Will, you will be able to praise your own value. You can be proud of yourself as someone who eternally lives for the sake of others.

This means that your day-to-day relationships with other people and all things will completely display the beauty of God’s creation. Thus, the ultimate purpose of God’s providence is to help human beings find the ultimate value of their life. (2:336-37, August 4, 1957)

Why does God need Reverend Moon?

Because I am a handsome? No. For my worldly knowledge? No. Because I have power and wealth?

No, I do not have any of those things. I am nothing. Yet, God holds on to me because I know God’s Will and devote all my life, day and night, to its fulfillment. That is the only reason God needs me.

Likewise, do I need you because I want to use you to make money? Do I want to use you to gain power? No. The reason why I need you more than any power or authority in America is because I sense your zeal for the Will of God. This connects us like a string, but it is stronger than anything else. (77:16, March 23, 1975)

People of Integrity Do Not Change according to the Circumstances

Once there lived a housewife named Vedehika who had a reputation for gentleness, modesty, and courtesy. She had a housemaid named Kali who was efficient and industrious and who managed her work well.

Then it occurred to Kali the housemaid, “My mistress has a very good reputation; I wonder whether she is good by nature, or is good because my work, being well-managed, makes her surroundings pleasant. What if I were to test my mistress?” The following morning Kali got up late. Then Vedehika shouted at her maid, “Hey, Kali!” “Yes, madam?” “Hey, what makes you get up late?” “Nothing in particular, madam.” “Nothing in particular, eh, naughty maid, and you get up late?” And being angry and offended, she frowned. Then it occurred to Kali, “Apparently, my mistress does have a temper inwardly, though she does not show it because my work is well-managed. What if I were to test her further?” Then she got up later. Thereupon Vedehika shouted at her maid, “Hey, Kali, why do you get up late?” “No particular reason, madam.” “No particular reason, eh, and you are up late?” she angrily hurled at her words of indignation. Then it occurred to Kali, “Apparently, my mistress does have a temper inwardly, though she does not show it because my work is well-managed. What if I were to test her still further?” She got up still later. Thereupon Vedehika shouted at her, “Hey, Kali, why do you get up late?” and she angrily took up the bolt of the door-bar and hit her on the head, cutting it. Thereupon Kali, with cut head and blood trickling down, denounced her mistress before the neighbors, saying, “Madam, look at the work of the gentle lady, madam, look at the action of the modest lady, madam, look at the action of the quiet lady. Why must she get angry and offended because I got up late and hit me, her only maid, cutting me on the head?” Thus the housewife lost her good reputation. Analogously, brethren, a person here happens to be very gentle, very humble, and very quiet as long as unpleasant things do not touch him. It is only when unpleasant things happen to a person that it is known whether he is truly gentle, humble, and quiet. Majjhima Nikaya 1.123-24 (Buddhism)

The well-taught noble disciple, when touched by a painful feeling, weeps not, wails not, knocks not on the breast, falls not into utter bewilderment. He feels the bodily feeling, but not the mental… Moreover, he has no repugnance for painful feeling. As he has no repugnance for it, the lurking tendency to repugnance for painful feeling fastens not on him. He, when touched by painful feeling, delights not in sensual pleasure. Why so? Because, brethren, the well-taught noble disciple knows of a refuge from painful feeling apart from sensual ease. As he delights not in sensual ease, the lurking tendency to sensual ease fastens not on him… If he feels a feeling that is pleasant, he feels it as one freed from bondage. If he feels a feeling that is painful, he feels it as one freed from bondage. If he feels a neutral feeling, he feels it as one freed from bondage. Samyutta Nikaya 36.1.1.6 (Buddhism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Gold is valuable because its essence never changes, even in the fire. If your will changes whenever you are confronted with difficulties, what value do you have? You can never be called a person of character. (Way of God’s Will 2.2)

Because your mind varies, your direction also varies, and because your direction varies, your purpose changes. You cannot fulfill one purpose when your mind is constantly changing. It is difficult enough to fulfill a goal with one mind; how much more difficult it is to fulfill it with two!

Therefore, in everything we do, we should have one mind. We must have the same mind in the morning, during the daytime and in the evening; the same mind in youth, middle age and old age. A person who starts a task with one mind, proceeds with one mind, and attains the result with one mind—his purpose will enlarge as he is able to maintain that one mind over longer periods.

We should have one mind. When we pursue a certain purpose, we need one mind. If we do not have one mind, we cannot fulfill the goal. From this, we deduce that God created this world with one mind, not with two minds.

We have to begin with one mind and proceed in one direction in order to fulfill one goal. However, today, people are not able to keep one in mind. (28:155, January 11, 1970)

Ever since the Human Fall, the form of our minds has been changing continually. If our minds were unchanging as they were supposed to be, we would all be holy people. Something can be holy if it is unique and unchanging.

Thus, since white people always retain their white color, their white color is holy. Black people likewise keep their unique and unchanging black color; therefore it too is holy. But a worldly white person, whose mind and behavior constantly change according to the circumstances, is on Satan’s side.

Regardless of his lofty social status, there is nothing holy about him… The shape of a person’s hands and face does not change.

What changes is the mind? When a person’s mind is changeable, it becomes Satan’s dance floor. Is there any woman here who wants a changeable husband? Certainly not.

Although she may not be perfect, she still prefers an unchanging man… A holy couple, united in true love, does not change for eternity. The years follow that couple, not the other way around. Such a couple is the center of eternal life. (217:303-04, June 12, 1991)