A handshake ought to be as binding as signing a twenty page contract. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. His integrity was unparalleled. I believe he would keep his word even if it meant causing himself harm of some sort. His yes was always yes and in such a way also was his nay.
Integrity has value.
The only way to win some arguments is to lay your integrity on the line and people have to decide for themselves who is telling the truth. John Stiles, the editor of our local newspaper I used to write for, told some big fat lies about me in the paper and then canceled my column. I had no chance to respond. He publicly tried to ruin my reputation and tarnish my character. There was nothing I could do except to trust that those who knew John Stiles is an habitual liar and that I habitually tell the truth would weigh what he said about me and know better.