Integrity Quotes That Teach Kids the Importance of Character

Integrity quotes teach kids that having a meaningful life requires standing up for what they believe in.

The capacity to behave in a manner that aligns with the moral standards, values, and beliefs we profess to uphold is known as integrity. It’s about acting morally even in the face of opposition, and it’s about exhibiting bravery, integrity, and respect in day-to-day dealings.

Integrity is shaped by parents and educators who treat youth with dignity and respect and who listen to their worries and feelings without passing judgment. Young people are reminded of their worth as moral human beings when adults commend them for acting in accordance with their values, beliefs, and ideals. This value extends beyond material accomplishments like test scores or grades.

Children can gain fresh insights into moral behavior from quotes about integrity that emphasize speaking up for yourself, doing the right thing, and getting over your fear of standing up for what you believe. From Malala Yousafzai to Mahatma Gandhi, wise people throughout history have discussed the value of integrity. Integrity is one of the eight fundamental qualities that motivate successful children, according to research.

Children have a better understanding of both themselves and others when parents and educators utilize integrity quotes to start conversations with their kids about the major and minor moral challenges facing our society. They grow to form their own opinions and ideals. Kids witness how integrity encompasses bravery, honesty, and respect and how these inborn qualities improve their life.

This is the sixth article of a nine-part series on how parents can use motivational sayings for children to foster learning and growth. To understand how The Compass Advantage, a framework for positive youth development, is connected to the 200 quotes in the collection, you might want to read the introduction piece.

These are a few noteworthy, succinct, and straightforward quotes regarding honesty. These quotes have meanings that are acceptable for the developmental and comprehension levels of students in elementary school through high school.

25 Kid-Friendly Integrity Quotes

        

PRIDE IS CONCERNED WITH WHO IS RIGHT. HUMILITY IS CONCERNED WITH WHAT IS RIGHT.

Ezra Taft Benson

INTEGRITY IS CHOOSING COURAGE OVER COMFORT; CHOOSING WHAT IS RIGHT OVER WHAT IS FUN, FAST, OR EASY; AND CHOOSING TO PRACTICE OUR VALUES RATHER THAN SIMPLY PROFESSING THEM.

Brené Brown

I HAVE FOUND THAT BEING HONEST IS THE BEST TECHNIQUE I CAN USE. RIGHT UP FRONT, TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU’RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH AND WHAT YOU’RE WILLING TO SACRIFICE TO ACCOMPLISH IT.

Lee Iacocca

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE INVOLVED. YOU HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO CONTRIBUTE, AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE RISK TO CONTRIBUTE IT.

Mae Jemison

WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD IS SILENT, EVEN ONE VOICE BECOMES POWERFUL.

Malala Yousafzai

COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR. COURAGE IS THE RECOGNITION THAT SOME THINGS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FEAR.

Irshad Manji

I BELIEVE THAT EVERY RIGHT IMPLIES A RESPONSIBILITY; EVERY OPPORTUNITY, AN OBLIGATION; EVERY POSSESSION, A DUTY.

John D. Rockefeller Jr.

ETHICS, DECENCY AND MORALITY ARE THE REAL SOLDIERS.

Kiran Bedi

CHARACTER IS THE FOUNDATION STONE UPON WHICH ONE MUST BUILD TO WIN RESPECT. JUST AS NO WORTHY BUILDING CAN BE ERECTED ON A WEAK FOUNDATION, SO NO LASTING REPUTATION WORTHY OF RESPECT CAN BE BUILT ON A WEAK CHARACTER.

1. C. Samsel

YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD.

Mahatma Gandhi

KNOWING WHAT MUST BE DONE DOES AWAY WITH FEAR.

Rosa Parks

JUSTICE IS TRUTH IN ACTION.

Joseph Joubert

INTEGRITY HAS NO NEED OF RULES.

Albert Camus

IF YOU JUST SET OUT TO BE LIKED, YOU WOULD BE PREPARED TO COMPROMISE ON ANYTHING AT ANY TIME, AND YOU WOULD ACHIEVE NOTHING.

Margaret Thatcher

INTEGRITY IS WHAT WE DO, WHAT WE SAY, AND WHAT WE SAY WE DO.

Don Galer

DON’T COMPROMISE YOURSELF. IT’S ALL YOU’VE GOT.

Janis Joplin

RATHER FAIL WITH HONOR THAN SUCCEED BY FRAUD.

Sophocles

REAL INTEGRITY STAYS IN PLACE WHETHER THE TEST IS ADVERSITY OR PROSPERITY.

Charles Swindoll

DON’T WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR SELF-ESTEEM. WORRY MORE ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER. INTEGRITY IS ITS OWN REWARD.

Laura Schlessinger

IT IS BETTER TO DESERVE HONORS AND NOT HAVE THEM THAN TO HAVE THEM AND NOT DESERVE THEM.

Mark Twain

YOU CAN IMPRISON A MAN, BUT NOT AN IDEA. YOU CAN EXILE A MAN, BUT NOT AN IDEA. YOU CAN KILL A MAN, BUT NOT AN IDEA.

Benazir Bhutto

INTEGRITY IS TELLING MYSELF THE TRUTH. AND HONESTY IS TELLING THE TRUTH TO OTHER PEOPLE.

Spencer Johnson

SUBTLETY MAY DECEIVE YOU; INTEGRITY NEVER WILL.

Oliver Cromwell

INTEGRITY: A NAME IS THE BLUEPRINT OF THE THING WE CALL CHARACTER. YOU ASK, WHAT’S IN A NAME? I ANSWER, JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU DO.

Morris Mandel

INTEGRITY IS NOT A CONDITIONAL WORD. IT DOESN’T BLOW IN THE WIND OR CHANGE WITH THE WEATHER. IT IS YOUR INNER IMAGE OF YOURSELF, AND IF YOU LOOK IN THERE AND SEE A MAN WHO WON’T CHEAT, THEN YOU KNOW HE NEVER WILL.

John D. MacDonald

Integrity Quotes: Thought Provokers

Quotes about integrity can be used by parents, teachers, and leaders of after-school programs to engage youngsters in conversation. Here are just a few examples.

What does integrity mean to you?

• Which integrity quotations from the list are your favorites? Why?
• Give an example of an honest individual you know or have learned about. What quality about that person most appeals to you? 
• What impact does integrity have on our standard of living?
• Is it possible to have an honest life at all times? Is it ever acceptable to lie? When and why?
• Which abilities enable you to lead an honorable life? Which qualities—courage, honor, honesty, decency, responsibility, restraint—would you like to hone?
• How does integrity develop in people?

Integrity in Action

• What good effects might your integrity have on others?
• For which global issues—like immigration or human rights—could integrity have a role in finding solutions?

FAQs 

1. What is integrity?

   • Answer: Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It involves doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

2. Why are integrity quotes important for kids?

   • Answer: Integrity quotes can inspire children to develop strong moral values, understand the importance of honesty, and encourage them to make ethical decisions.

3. Can integrity quotes help in character building for kids?

   • Answer: Yes, integrity quotes can play a significant role in character building by providing positive examples and reinforcing the importance of honesty and ethics.

Final Thoughts 

Integrity is a foundational value that shapes a child’s character and future actions. Teaching kids about integrity through quotes can be an effective and engaging method to instill honesty, trustworthiness, and strong moral principles. By regularly incorporating integrity quotes into your child’s life, you can help them understand the importance of doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult or unnoticed. These quotes can serve as guiding principles and inspire children to develop into ethical and responsible individuals.