Hillsdale College

Honesty

Speak and act with truthfulness and sincerity.

StoriesPoemsLives of Virtue

Honesty is the moral virtue that inclines one to express faithfully what is in one’s mind, with simplicity and without deception. Honesty does not require that all our communication be correct, but that it be sincere. We have the obligation to express ourselves honestly to others because sincerity is the foundation of trust, and trust is essential for the institution and preservation of human society.

The virtue of honesty requires us to tell the truth fully and simply. Honesty is needed to be a good, trustworthy friend and to be given responsibility.

Related Virtues

Justice

Featured Stories

PinocchioCarlo Collodi
Grade 1-4

Story

Honest AbeKunhardt, Edith
Grade K-2

Story

"The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing"From Aesop's Fables Jerry Pinkney
Grade 1-2

Story

"The Fox and the Grapes"From The Aesop for ChildrenAesop
Grade 1-2

Story

The Princess and the PeaFrom An Illustrated Treasury of Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy TalesHans Christian Andersen
Grade 1-3

Story

Puss in BootsCharles Perrault
Grade 1-3

Story

More Stories

Featured Biographies

Bread for WordsShana Keller
Grade K-4

Biography

Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote HistoryWalter Dean Myers
Grade 2-6

Biography

Poems about Honesty

And all the men and women merely players...

"All the world's a stage"
By William Shakespeare
Read More of "All the world's a stage"

I was angry with my friend; I told my wrath, my wrath did end...

A Poison Tree
By William Blake
Read More of A Poison Tree

Euclid alone has looked on Beauty bare
By Edna St. Vincent Millay
Read More of Euclid alone has looked on Beauty bare

Lives of Virtue

Frederick DouglassFor his unflinching honesty in sharing his life experience, for his courage in escaping injustice, and for his relentless pursuit of justice, Frederick Douglass exemplifies moral virtue.  
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln exemplified virtue through his steadfast commitment to justice and the preservation of the Union, guiding the nation with moral clarity and courage during its darkest hours.
George Washington
George WashingtonThanks to his integrity, humility, courage, and wisdom, George Washington has long been known as one of the greatest leaders in American history.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher StoweA picture of courage, honesty, and perseverance Harriet Beecher Stowe used her powerful talent of writing to expose the injustices of slavery and inspire moral awakening across a divided nation.