Top value insults

Integrity is one of the most things a person can possess. For a journalist to maintain it is even more important. Yet, integrity is such an abstract concept.

"Webster's Third New International Dictionary" defines integrity as a strict adherence to a set of moral values or an undivided state of being.

We think of integrity as a sense of doing what we know to be right and pursuing the so-called golden road even when unpopular to do so.

As journalists, we live our lives with integrity. Our word is our bond and all that good stuff. We work hard, do the job to the best of our abilities and try to prove our integrity to everyone we encounter.

Tests of one's integrity can come from anywhere. Whether it is at work, while tempted to steal, or in class with the opportunity to cheat on an exam. And when our integrity is questioned it comes as an insult, especially when we took the virtuous road to begin with.

Whatever the reason, when one's integrity is questioned, he or she has to wonder what went wrong. If you define yourself by your integrity, losing it can cause you to reexamine your whole life.

There is not much people have that cannot be taken away. But living with integrity can afford one the ability to save face when confronted by insult and accusations. As cliché as it sounds, the truth will set you free.

As long as you are truthful to yourself and with those whom you deal, your integrity maybe questioned but will remain intact. The best thing about maintaining ones integrity is the feeling of vindication one feels when defending against an insulting attack on that integrity.

That's right, the feeling of being able to hold your head up high is worth sustaining the injury of such an attack. Knowing when you are right and proving that you are right more than makes up for the insult because you have proven to be morally and intellectually superior to those who would question your integrity.

No matter who you are, someone will inevitably question your integrity. How you emerge from that challenge will end up defining you for the rest of your life. If you come out on top people will begin to look to you, for they will know that you have proven your integrity. If you have no integrity, people will avoid you, knowing that you can't be trusted.

As a person, character and integrity will take you far in life, as long you can prove the content of your character retains its integrity.

As a journalist, these are the only things that are more valuable than the words we use. Without integrity, we are only gossips and may as well have our own TV talk shows.