Integrity is the epitome of beauty and paragon of virtues. It towers over all other moral values, including character, reputation, honesty, truth, and so on. These and other moral values are under the integrity umbrella. Unlike character which may be good or bad, integrity can only be good.

Other than being the umbrella that covers other moral values integrity is the good, better, and best of the self. It is the self loving the self, others and God, right thinking, right action, and right living.

The person possessing integrity is able to stand even when stripppd bare of everything else that he considers to be important. Integrity is personal, not given to comparison of oneself with others and does not adhere to laws or rules that run counter to good and right, except for the law of love which transcends law. Violation of integrity is "the" violation of all violations.

In order to "stand inviolate within your integrity" you must accept your uniquensss as a gift from God, extol truth, beauty and love and refuse to allow anything to separate you from being good and doing right. You also have to refuse to compromise or settle when doing so requires abandoning integrity. To "stand inviolate within your integrity" requires you from time to time to affirm as did Martin Luther who said, "Here I stand, so help me God. I can do none other!"

Despite the difficulties and struggles encountered on life's journey, to "stand inviolate within your integrity" can be joyous. Joy transcends circumstance. And there will be payday someday. Get ready. That day may be today.

Copyright 2009 by Uriah J. Fields