Thomas Jefferson's Code Of Honesty Analysis

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In Thomas Jefferson’s letter to his nephew, he argues that to live a successful and pure life one must develop an honest heart (Bender 160). In support of this, having an honest heart will allow one to achieve fame and have a successful career (Bender 160). Additionally, one who practices honesty and integrity will be well liked and admired by friends (Bender 160). Yet, others think lying is a good way to made a difficult situation easier (Bender 160). However, there are consequences when taking the simpler path. Jefferson states once an individual begins lying, it becomes habitual and makes things even more difficult (Bender 160). Additionally, people will lose trust in someone who deceives others (Bender 161). Jefferson believes developing …show more content…

Many public figures attract a lot of attention to themselves by having integrity, or lack thereof. The sixteenth president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, became known as “Honest Abe” because as a lawyer he never defended cases that required him to ignore his conscience (Kennedy 406). Along with other redeeming qualities, his uprightness made him a good leader in the public’s eye. Additionally, Lincoln had a very successful career, winning the popular and electoral votes in 1860, drawing an end to the Civil War, and famously abolishing slavery (Wilson). However, some might say he was not so virtuous when it came to the Civil War. Lincoln hid his true intentions regarding slavery from the border states because their geographic and manufacturing resources were so crucial to winning the war (Kennedy 420). When addressing the public, Lincoln would only say his goal was to preserve the Union because any antislavery declaration would make the border states secede and join the Confederacy (Kennedy 420). Although Lincoln lied about his intentions for the emancipation of slavery, he did so to save the United States and defend the Union (PBS). Even the Southerners recognized that Lincoln’s death was a tragedy because his kindness and fairness would have protected them from the bitter treatment by the North (Kennedy 457). Honesty is an important trait to have in order to