he origin of the Latin word, Integritas
Integrity is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “the quality of being of sound moral principle; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity.”The Thesaurus synonym is ethics, which means “morality, morals, decency, principles, values, code of right and wrong, categorical imperative.
At the time of the 12 Caesars, the Roman army would conduct morning inspections. As an inspecting centurion came in front of each legionnaire, the soldier would strike with his right fist the armor breastplate that covered his heart. As he did this, he would shout ‘integritas,’ which is the Latin word for ‘material, wholeness, completeness and entirety.’ The centurion then listened closely for this positive declaration and for the ring that well-kept armor would give off. Satisfied that the armor was sound and that the soldier beneath it was protected, he moved on to the next soldier.
Meanwhile the praetorians or imperial bodyguard were ascending to power and influence. Rather than shouting ‘integritas,’ they would shout ‘hail Caesar,’ signifying their heart belonged to the imperial personage—not to their unit—not to an institution—not to a code of ideals. They armored themselves to serve the cause of a single man.
And that difference, between the legionnaires and the guards—‘integritas’ is where we also get our word—integer, which means ‘undiminished, complete, perfect’ indicating that the armor was sound. The soundness and completeness of the armor symbolically represented that it was the soldier who was sound and complete of character . . . his standards and morals were high. The legionnaire solder was not associated with the immoral conduct that was rapidly becoming the signature of the praetorian guards.
Kern, J. D, PA Times
Let
my heart
be
sound
in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
sound
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Thou shalt
daily
prepare a burnt offering
unto the LORD of a
lamb of the
first year
thou shalt prepare it
every morning.
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