What is the adherence to moral and ethical principles (moral uprightness)?

Integrity is the adherence to moral and ethical principles, signifying moral uprightness. When an individual demonstrates integrity, they consistently align their actions, values, methods, and principles. This quality is essential in building trust and credibility, whether in personal relationships or professional environments.

Integrity encompasses honesty but extends beyond it by involving a comprehensive commitment to ethical standards and accountability. For instance, a person with integrity not only tells the truth but also acts in accordance with their moral beliefs, even when it's inconvenient or challenging. This creates a steadfast foundation of reliability and honor in their actions.

The other options, while related to personal qualities, do not fully capture the essence of adhering to moral and ethical principles. Honesty pertains specifically to truthfulness, dependability relates to being reliable and trustworthy, and consistency refers to the quality of being uniform or reliable over time. None of these alone embody the broader and deeper principle of integrity, which is foundational to moral uprightness.