“There is no excuse for lying, cheating, and selfishness under any circumstances, but one can see how the pressure to do so builds during a crisis.” – Jon M. Huntsman, Sr.

 We hear a lot about compromise these days.  People talk of political parties coming to a compromise; we hear that we must compromise with our enemies to have peace in the world or the old standby of “Can’t we all get along”.  The truth is when many, especially those in power, talk of compromise they are really saying, “You must give up your principles and do it my way”.  I want to state here and now that compromise is seldom a good thing and never a productive thing.  I am not saying that you are to be stubborn and disagreeable, but when it comes to right and wrong or for you to compromise on what you know is the right thing, then it is never good.  English writer John Ruskin said “You may either win your peace or buy it: win it by resistance to evil; buy it by compromise with evil.”

The Success-Minded Person is a person of integrity.  They know that there is indeed a right and a wrong.  Success-Minded People know that it takes courage and deep conviction to stand for the right in a world that screams for us to compromise and “get along”.  Businessman W. Clement Stone said “Have the courage to say no.  Have the courage to face the truth.  Do the right thing because it is right.  These are the magic keys to living a life of integrity.”

        So how do we learn integrity?  First, you simply do and stand for what you know is right.  Compromise means that you are willing to allow a bit of what is wrong into your life and thinking just to come to an agreement with what you know to be wrong.  That is like adding a bit of poison to the soup.  Even though most of the soup was good, the small bit of poison with kill you all the same.  Success-Minded People must be steadfast in their heart for what is right.  Chinua Achebe said “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”

Another way we learn integrity is from those around us.  Surround yourself with people of integrity and good character.  George Washington once said: “It is better to be alone than in bad company.”  You will become like the people you spend time with.  Seek out those who are truthful, stand for right and do not compromise to the thoughts and behaviors of the world we live in.

              Lastly, and most importantly, you be that person of character and integrity.  You be the example of one who has the courage to stand for what is right and not compromise their standards.  I strive to live up to what author H. Jackson Brown, Jr. said: “Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.”

© 2012 John Patrick Hickey