Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Honesty & Truthfulness
Truth-telling is a foundational ethical command across all major traditions. From the Ninth Commandment to Islam's condemnation of lying to Buddhism's Right Speech, honesty is seen as essential to both personal integrity and social trust.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Práctica
- Truth-telling — bearing false witness forbidden
- Key Text
- Exodus 20:16; Ephesians 4:25; John 8:32
Islam
- Práctica
- Sidq (truthfulness) as mark of the believer
- Key Text
- Quran 9:119, 33:70
Judaism
- Práctica
- Emet (truth) as divine attribute; midvar sheker tirchak
- Key Text
- Exodus 23:7; Proverbs 12:22; Zechariah 8:16
Hinduism
- Práctica
- Satya (truth) as the highest dharma
- Key Text
- Mahabharata 12.109.4; Bhagavad Gita 10:4
Buddhism
- Práctica
- Samma vaca (Right Speech) — abstain from false speech
- Key Text
- AN 10.176; Dhammapada 176; MN 61