Sincerity and honesty are concepts often used interchangeably. If we examine them in depth, we will see that they present important differences in terms of meaning and application.
Last update: January 07, 2022
Do you consider yourself to be sincere or honest? Keep in mind that these two concepts are not synonymous, although in colloquial language they are often used as such. The differences between sincerity and honesty are not obvious, but it is good to know them.
Are you able to distinguish an honest action from a sincere one? In the following lines we present the differences between sincerity and honesty.
Honesty
Honesty, from the vulgar Latin onestàs, -ātis, is the virtue of communicating with sincerity, being just, upright and reasonable; it is also considered an action accompanied by individual intrinsic values.
This relationship must be consistent to prove the intimate relationship between thinking and acting, the results of which must be just and complete.
The main quality of an honest person is that his values correspond to the norms of his community. This relationship arises from the trust that the person has towards being responsible, since it fosters a climate of harmony and respect between the two.
Honesty is a peculiar characteristic of the human being, intimately linked to the principles of justice and truth. An honest person puts his or her moral integrity first in his thinking and acts accordingly, hence his coherence.
This value promotes mental health to the person thanks to the tranquility generated by his behavior with himself and his community.
Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.
-Thomas Jefferson-
Features
Honesty has unmistakable characteristics that make the person mentally healthy, authentic and trust-inspiring.
The honest person is self-aware, autonomous and very confident, without being pedantic; he knows how to live with an opinion different from his intrinsic values and accept his own mistakes to improve their integrity. He knows how to trust others, without being naive.
Being consistent with herself and with others, she usually enjoys good physical and emotional health. As consistent with his words and her actions, she manages a clear and practical speech.
Sincerity
Sincerity, from the Latin sincerĭtas, -ātis, derived from sincērus 'intact, pure', 'sincere', is respect for the person's emotions and thoughts; it cancels all forms of lies and fiction in the name of frankness and simplicity; it is a virtue that defines personality.
It can be a double-edged sword in social relationships, as if it is not communicated assertively, sincerity can hurt the person who is not ready to hear the truth.
Furthermore, sincerity and arrogance are an ineffective couple, as the saying goes: “sincerity without empathy is simply cruelty”.
“Stay away from contempt and admiration, as they both go hand in hand, alternating. Get closer to sincerity, even if it hurts ”.
-Melita Ruiz-
Features
The sincere person respects everyone equally, regardless of their status; expresses the opinion of him without hypocrisy and of usually practices altruism without expecting anything in return and does not boast of his own actions. In addition, it tends to establish lasting and quality relationships.
Self-sufficiency is one of the most visible characteristics of the sincere person, as he never tries to please others with his personality, he expresses himself spontaneously and without any kind of effort or appearance.
It is possible to trust the sincere person because he will hardly betray. That is allows you to enjoy good self-esteem.
Honesty and sincerity: two favorable values
Honesty and sincerity are two favorable values for good physical and mental health. However, they differ greatly in terms of meaning and application.
Honesty defines a person's integrity according to his or her value system. Sincerity, on the other hand, is the expression of a straightforward and direct person in saying what he thinks and observes. She is authentic in communicating his conclusions and does not condition the opinion of others by waiting for their answers.
Another interesting difference between honesty and sincerity is highlighted by the classical philologist Javier Álvarez, who evidences that thehonesty would include sincerity and gives the example of the killer who warns his victim that he is about to kill her and then does.
Álvarez reflects that “the killer acted with total sincerity, as he kept his word; but, of course, his act is not honest at all ”.
