Character vs. Integrity: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 12, 2023
Character refers to an individual's moral and mental qualities, while integrity signifies adherence to moral and ethical principles. Both are moral attributes but apply in different scopes and situations.
Key Differences
Character primarily denotes the collective attributes that define an individual's moral and ethical stature. On the opposite, Integrity is fundamentally about consistency in moral and ethical conduct. These moral virtues are essential but applied distinctively in human character and ethical practice.
Exploring Character, it encompasses a wide array of attributes such as honesty, courage, and perseverance. Conversely, Integrity is steadfastness in moral and ethical principles, underscoring unwavering consistency. The former aggregates qualities, while the latter emphasizes steadfast consistency.
When considering Character, one might evaluate various attributes like kindness, empathy, or resilience. In contrast, evaluating Integrity involves considering the consistent application of moral values, especially in diverse and challenging circumstances. Each quality has its unique aspects and arenas of application.
In a societal context, a person's Character might be discussed in terms of their general demeanor and everyday interactions. Integrity, however, would typically be discussed in the context of maintaining moral and ethical consistency, especially when faced with challenges or temptations.
In a professional realm, Character may encompass an individual's work ethic, cooperativeness, and overall demeanor. Integrity within professional confines usually pertains to consistency in ethical practice, honesty, and transparent dealings even when personal gain is possible through unethical means.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition Scope
Broad, multiple attributes
Narrower, consistent ethical conduct
Applicability
General demeanor and moral quality
Ethical consistency in various situations
Types
Can be of various types (e.g., strong)
Primarily pertains to ethical steadiness
Involvement of Consistency
Not essentially
Fundamental
Moral and Ethical Aspect
Involves varied moral/ethical attributes
Focuses on adherence to principles
ADVERTISEMENT
Character and Integrity Definitions
Character
The inherent traits that define moral and ethical stature.
Her steadfast character has earned her respect from all.
Integrity
Unwavering adherence to moral and ethical principles.
His integrity was evident when he returned the lost wallet.
Character
A combination of qualities that distinguish one individual from another.
His character shines, displaying honesty and empathy toward others.
Integrity
Consistently aligning actions and values, especially in ethical matters.
Her integrity is reflected in consistently ethical business practices.
Character
The combination of mental characteristics and behavior that distinguishes a person or group.
Integrity
The act of maintaining a moral stand in all situations.
His integrity is not swayed by personal gain or unfavorable circumstances.
Character
The distinguishing nature of something.
Integrity
The steadfast honoring of moral and ethical values in actions.
He upheld his integrity by refusing to accept the bribe.
Character
Moral strength; integrity
An educational program designed to develop character.
Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code
A leader of great integrity.
Character
Public estimation of someone; reputation
Personal attacks that damaged her character.
Integrity
The state of being unimpaired; soundness
The building's integrity remained intact following the mild earthquake.
Character
(Biology) A structure, function, or attribute of an organism, influenced by genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
Integrity
The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness
Replaced a lost book to restore the integrity of his collection.
Character
A person considered as having a specific quality or attribute
"Being a man of the world and a public character, [he] took everything as a matter of course" (George Eliot).
Integrity
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
Character
A person considered funny or eccentric
Catcalls from some character in the back row.
Integrity
The state of being wholesome; unimpaired
Character
A person portrayed in an artistic piece, such as a drama or novel.
Integrity
The quality or condition of being complete; pure
Character
A person or animal portrayed with a personality in comics or animation
A cartoon character.
Integrity
(cryptography) With regards to data encryption, ensuring that information is not altered by unauthorized persons in a way that is not detectable by authorized users.
Character
Characterization in fiction or drama
A script that is weak in plot but strong in character.
Integrity
(aviation) The ability of systems to provide timely warnings to users when they should not be used for navigation.
Character
Status or role; capacity
In his character as the father.
Integrity
Trustworthiness; keeping your word.
Character
A description of a person's attributes, traits, or abilities.
Integrity
The state or quality of being entire or complete; wholeness; entireness; unbroken state; as, the integrity of an empire or territory.
Character
A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
Integrity
Moral soundness; honesty; freedom from corrupting influence or motive; - used especially with reference to the fulfillment of contracts, the discharge of agencies, trusts, and the like; uprightness; rectitude.
The moral grandeur of independent integrity is the sublimest thing in nature.
Their sober zeal, integrity, and worth.
Character
A mark or symbol used in a writing system.
Integrity
Unimpaired, unadulterated, or genuine state; entire correspondence with an original condition; purity.
Language continued long in its purity and integrity.
Character
A Chinese character.
Integrity
An unreduced or unbroken completeness or totality
Character
One of a set of symbols, such as letters or numbers, that are arranged to express information.
Integrity
Moral soundness
Character
The numerical code representing such a character.
Integrity
The quality of being honest and maintaining strong moral principles.
Integrity led her to confess her mistake immediately.
Character
(Mathematics) The trace function of a representation.
Character
A style of printing or writing
"Here is the hand and seal of the Duke.
You know the character" (Shakespeare).
Character
A cipher or code for secret writing.
Character
Of or relating to one's character.
Character
Specializing in the interpretation of often minor roles that emphasize fixed personality traits or specific physical characteristics
A character actor.
Character
Of or relating to the interpretation of such roles by an actor
The character part of the hero's devoted mother.
Character
Dedicated to the portrayal of a person with regard to distinguishing psychological or physical features
A character sketch.
Character
To write, print, engrave, or inscribe.
Character
To portray or describe; characterize.
Character
(countable) A being involved in the action of a story.
Character
(countable) A distinguishing feature; characteristic; trait; phene.
A single locus governing the petal colour character was detected on the linkage group A2.
Character
A complex of traits marking a person, group, breed, or type.
A study of the suspect's character and his cast iron alibi ruled him out.
Character
(uncountable) Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; moral strength.
He has a great deal of character.
"You may not like to eat liver," said Calvin's father, "but it builds character."
Character
(countable) A unique or extraordinary individual; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits, especially charisma.
Julius Caesar is a great historical character.
That bloke is such a character.
Character
(countable) A written or printed symbol, or letter.
Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the particular form of letters used by a person or people.
An inscription in the Runic character
Character
A secret cipher; a way of writing in code.
Character
One of the basic elements making up a text file or string: a code representing a printing character or a control character.
Character
A person or individual, especially one who is unknown.
We saw a shady character slinking out of the office with some papers.
That old guy is a real character.
Character
A complex number representing an element of a finite Abelian group.
Character
(countable) Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty.
In the miserable character of a slave
In his character as a magistrate
Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation.
A man's character for truth and veracity
Her actions give her a bad character.
Character
A reference given to a servant, attesting to their behaviour, competence, etc.
Character
Personal appearance.
Character
(obsolete) To write (using characters); to describe.
Character
A distinctive mark; a letter, figure, or symbol.
It were much to be wished that there were throughout the world but one sort of character for each letter to express it to the eye.
Character
Style of writing or printing; handwriting; the peculiar form of letters used by a particular person or people; as, an inscription in the Runic character.
You know the character to be your brother's?
Character
The peculiar quality, or the sum of qualities, by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others; the stamp impressed by nature, education, or habit; that which a person or thing really is; nature; disposition.
The character or that dominion.
Know well each Ancient's proper character;His fable, subject, scope in every page;Religion, Country, genius of his Age.
A man of . . . thoroughly subservient character.
Character
Strength of mind; resolution; independence; individuality; as, he has a great deal of character.
Character
Moral quality; the principles and motives that control the life; as, a man of character; his character saves him from suspicion.
Character
Quality, position, rank, or capacity; quality or conduct with respect to a certain office or duty; as, in the miserable character of a slave; in his character as a magistrate; her character as a daughter.
Character
The estimate, individual or general, put upon a person or thing; reputation; as, a man's character for truth and veracity; to give one a bad character.
This subterraneous passage is much mended since Seneca gave so bad a character of it.
Character
A written statement as to behavior, competency, etc., given to a servant.
Character
A unique or extraordinary individuality; a person characterized by peculiar or notable traits; a person who illustrates certain phases of character; as, Randolph was a character; Cæsar is a great historical character.
Character
One of the persons of a drama or novel.
Character
To engrave; to inscribe.
These trees shall be my books.And in their barks my thoughts I 'll character.
Character
To distinguish by particular marks or traits; to describe; to characterize.
Character
An imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story);
She is the main character in the novel
Character
A characteristic property that defines the apparent individual nature of something;
Each town has a quality all its own
The radical character of our demands
Character
The inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons moral and ethical actions and reactions;
Education has for its object the formation of character
Character
An actor's portrayal of someone in a play;
She played the part of Desdemona
Character
A person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities);
A real character
A strange character
A friendly eccentric
The capable type
A mental case
Character
Good repute;
He is a man of character
Character
A formal recommendation by a former employer to a potential future employer describing the person's qualifications and dependability;
Requests for character references are all to often answered evasively
Character
A written symbol that is used to represent speech;
The Greek alphabet has 24 characters
Character
Engrave or inscribe characters on
Character
The collective moral and ethical attributes of an individual.
Her character is truly admirable, always offering a helping hand.
Character
A person’s nature concerning their moral and ethical decision-making.
His character is evident in the way he treats everyone kindly.
Character
An observable behavior that indicates moral and ethical standing.
Your character is visible through your consistent acts of kindness.
FAQs
What encompasses a person's character?
It includes their moral, ethical qualities, and personality traits.
Is character observable?
Yes, character is often observed through a person's behavior and interactions.
Can integrity be regained?
Yes, integrity can be rebuilt through consistent, principled actions over time.
Can character be developed?
Yes, character can be developed and refined through experiences and choices.
Does character relate to reputation?
Yes, a person's character can influence their reputation among peers.
Is it harder to measure character or integrity?
Both can be challenging to measure objectively as they are often seen through behaviors and actions.
Can integrity be compromised?
Yes, integrity can be compromised when one’s actions diverge from their moral principles.
Does integrity influence trust?
Absolutely, integrity is fundamental to establishing and maintaining trust.
Can a person have a bad character?
Yes, character can be negatively perceived based on undesirable traits or behaviors.
Can a person have integrity but bad character?
It's contradictory as integrity is often considered a positive aspect of character.
Is it possible to teach character and integrity?
Yes, through education, modeling behavior, and encouraging reflection, both can be taught.
How do psychologists assess character and integrity?
Through various means, including behavioral observations, interviews, and sometimes psychometric testing.
Is integrity situational?
Integrity involves maintaining ethical consistency across varied situations.
Can organizations have character and integrity?
Yes, organizations can embody collective traits (character) and consistent ethical practices (integrity).
Can character and integrity change?
Yes, both can evolve due to experiences, reflections, and conscious effort to change.
Is integrity about honesty?
Yes, it entails honesty and also includes consistency in moral and ethical actions.
Does society value character over integrity?
It varies, but generally, society values both as they contribute to ethical behavior and social cohesion.
Can character and integrity be harmful?
Generally viewed positively, but in some contexts, staunch integrity or rigid character traits might have drawbacks.
Can one's character impact their integrity?
Yes, the qualities within one's character can influence their actions and integrity.
Is character the same as integrity?
No, while related, character encompasses overall traits, and integrity focuses on consistency in ethics.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
