Don't Trade Your Integrity
“Never esteem anything as of advantage to you that will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.”
—Marcus Aurelius
Meditations
Imagine you're eyeing a promotion, a new gadget, or even approval from peers. These things can be enticing, can't they?
But if obtaining them means compromising your integrity or your promises, Marcus would argue they're not benefits at all. They are traps that cost more than they're worth.
Moments will arise that test our resolve. You might be tempted to stretch the truth to close a deal at work or gossip to fit in with a group.
However, there's no real victory in winning through deceit or dishonor. Your self-respect is a currency of immense value. Spend it wisely.
So, next time you're faced with a choice that nudges you towards a path of dishonesty, ask yourself, "Is this worth my self-respect?"
More often than not, you'll find it's not.