It is also something most parents would like to instill in their children. The basic premise underlying its core definition is the requirement that our conduct not be separated into parts, but rather in the ideal state, a person would experience completeness and undivided intactness. When we separate and compartmentalize our lives, we cloud our moral compass, and we are eventually able to comfortably justify a mind set where we value expediency over truth, advantage over trust and winning over justice. Thus in order to protect our society and promote the common good, we have come to hold as a positive societal value the idea that integrity is a crucial element for exemplary citizenship. If one of our political leaders lacks integrity, all communication from that person becomes suspect, and doubts concerning behavior arise.
Moral authority is undermined, and distrust and cynicism multiply.
The complete and wholly integrated life is that estimable quality which allowed the courage and conviction of those great individuals who possessed it, celebrated or unknown, to stand up and be counted for what was good and right. Integrity still matters.