Honesty is the foundation of a guilt-free life. When we are truthful to ourselves and others, we can live with integrity and enjoy a sense of inner peace.
Poets have long explored the theme of honesty in their works, capturing the beauty and power of this simple yet profound virtue.
In this collection of poems about honesty, we will explore different aspects of honesty, from the humorous to the serious, and discover how the power of truth can transform our lives.
So let’s read these honesty poems!
You May Also Be Interested In:
Famous Poems about Honesty
Some of the most famous honesty poems of all time have explored the theme of honesty in their works. These poems offer insight and wisdom into the importance of being truthful, and how it can set us free.
1. The Goal
by Amos Russel Wells
There is one thing nobly worthwhile,
Though the parrots chatter and scream,
Though the critics howl and the cynics smile,
And life seems a mocking dream.
There is one thing that grandly counts,
In the face of the tempting glare,
In the tempests of doubt on the lonely mounts,
In the thickets of thorny care.
And that’s to hold the truth!
To abide with justice and right,
To be a man in genuine sooth,
With heaven’s invincible might.
There are bowers of beauty and love,
There are trumpets of lordly fame,
There are pleasures below and blessings above
That flash with a lifting flame.
Let them flaunt their allurements high,
Let them beckon and call and cajole;
There is only one worth in the earth and the sky,
And that is an honest soul.
2. The Boy Who Never Told a Lie
by Anonymous
Once there was a little boy,
With curly hair and pleasant eye—
A boy who always told the truth,
And never, never told a lie.
And when he trotted off to school,
The children all about would cry,
“There goes the curly-headed boy—
The boy that never tells a lie.”
And everybody loved him so,
Because he always told the truth,
That every day, as he grew up,
‘Twas said, “There goes the honest youth.”
And when the people that stood near
Would turn to ask the reason why,
The answer would be always this:
“Because he never tells a lie.”
3. Rebecca’s After-Thought
by Elizabeth Turner
Yesterday, Rebecca Mason,
In the parlor by herself,
Broke a handsome china basin,
Placed upon the mantel-shelf.
Quite alarmed, she thought of going
Very quietly away,
Not a single person knowing,
Of her being there that day.
But Rebecca recollected
She was taught deceit to shun;
And the moment she reflected,
Told her mother what was done;
Who commended her behavior,
Loved her better, and forgave her.
4. A Chance Meeting
by Anonymous
I had a moment’s talk with him
And saw that he was good,
A spirit candid to the brim,
Breathing of brotherhood,
A fleeting face, a stranger face
I shall not meet again,
Yet earth is now a friendlier place,
And full of better men.
If such a whiff of soul transforms
So blessedly and far,
What of that world beyond the storms,
Where none but true men are?
5. A Sermon From the Pew in Front
by Anonymous
There’s a lesson you may learn
When the little children turn
Squarely, fairly, in their pew,
And as squarely gaze at you.
Sweet their eyes are, sweet and pure,
Modest also and demure,
Happy, innocent, sincere,
Gazing with no thought of fear.
Should the older people thus
Turnabout and look at us,
Would their gaze as steady be?
Truthful, brave, and folly free?
6. Mine
by Amos Russel Wells
“Old man,” the captain blustered,
In haste to meet the foe,
“My troops are seeking forage;
Come! show us where to go.”
A mile he led them onward,
To where, in beauty spread,
They saw a field of barley,
“The very thing!” they said.
“Not here!” the old man urged them;
“Have patience for a while.”
And sturdily he led them
Another weary mile.
The barley fleld he showed them
They speedily despoiled;
Ah, little need of reapers,
Where such a troop has tolled!
But “Fie on all this pother!”
The angry captain cursed;
“Old man, this second barley
Is poorer than the first.”
“Perhaps,” the good man answered,
“It may not be so fine;
But that field is another’s
And this field, sir, is mine.”
7. In Goodness is True Greatness
by Helen M. Johnson
I touch the spring—and lo, a face
Which for these many years
Within my heart has had a place,
A tender place—appears.
The large dark eyes look up to mine,
So like thyself!—the cheek,
The brow, the features, all are thine:
Speak to me, brother, speak!
And tell me of each grief and care:
For be they great or small,
A sister’s heart would take a share—
And, if it could, take all!
And tell me of each hopeful plan,
And how the future seems,—
Oh, may that future to the man
Be all the boy now dreams.
I’ve heard thee say thou wouldst be great,
And with the gifted shine;
‘T is well; but there’s a nobler fate,
I pray it may be thine:
It is to be an honest man,—
To elevate thy race,
And like the good Samaritan
Do good in every place;
To struggle bravely for the right,
Though kings defend the wrong;
To live as in thy Maker’s sight,
And in his strength be strong;
To put the spotless garment on,
To keep it pure and white,
And when the endless day shall dawn
Receive a crown of light.
Dear brother, fame is but a breath,
So I implore for thee
A holy life, a happy death,
A blest eternity.
8. Fed Up
by Anonymous
I hate that you constantly never choose me.
Only when you are hurting, you use me.
To numb the pain in your heart.
If you asked me “How did I hurt you?”
I wouldn’t even know where to start.
You feed me all this ludicrous.
I’m fed up with the foolishness.
You love me, you need me?
You want honesty?
Well honestly I think its bullshit.
Funny Poems about Honesty
Sometimes, the best way to learn a lesson is through laughter. in this section, we’ll explore interesting poems about honesty that will make you chuckle and maybe even inspire you to be a little more truthful.
1. I Have Holes in My Soles
by Rudolph Rinaldi
my shirts and shoes
are wearing out –
and they tell me
I am too
I patch and glue
to make them whole –
but fail
to make them new
I have holes in my soles
and frayed treads on my edges –
but manage
for the most part to get through
until one day
they say
it will all fall apart
hopefully all at once
I pray
2. Why People Lie
by Pj Gongora
Some people lie for no reason at all
While many lie with a great reasoning
Most lie to safeguard and be saved from fall
Others let themselves be blamed for speaking.
Few lie for a good acceptable cause
And many just construct a cause to lie
Its not always the flip side of truth’s pause
Sometimes a lie stands on its own clean tie.
For lying is a complex social act
More than a habit but a human trait
To be a well functional artefact
Protecting expectations truth can’t wait.
Lies cover up another truth to suit
Or made to create a new set of truth.
3. Contra Dictionary
by Honestly J.T.
I feel that I’ve not done,
Everything that I should do.
I’ve not found the sun,
Nor what rain,
May have to prove.
Every word is dry,
With a fighting attitude,
Trying to deny,
What I’d truly say to you.
I’ve tried to be the kind,
To write,
And please your very eyes.
Yet there comes a time,
When my muse,
Runs and hides.
Nay! This game of pain,
Is not what I ordain.
Peace will be sustained,
On the day,
I write again.
4. Truth
by L. Owens
I want the truth.
The whole truth, not your spin
doctor, sound bite version of
the truth, but the real deal,
honest to God
Baptist preacher on Easter
Sunday morning truth.
The kind of truth you only tell
your mama, because she’s psychic,
and it’s a waste of time trying to
tell her anything else anyway.
Okay, let’s have it.
I’m a big girl and I can take it,
I won’t cry.
I want the truth.
The whole truth.
Did you eat the last
damn slice of pizza?
5. Repetition is Not Truth
by Geoffrey Brewer
A once esteemed party was fain
To cry ‘Racist!’ again and again
Not now and again
But NOW and AGAIN
Til it made neural paths in their brain
6. Saying I Love You
by Sandra L. Weiss
Someone tells you they love you for just being yourself.
They will spend their life proving to you that it is true.
A few years into the relationship, they want you to be someone else.
Did they not know who they were proving their love to?
Saying the words I love you may be a game, just for fun.
They are only words used by some to get their way.
After a while, they lose interest, and they are done.
It was a game that you were never taught to play.
Be mindful, make sure the, I love you is meant for you.
Remember, if they start trying to change you…run!
If there is suspicion of someone else, it is probably true.
I hope you’ll know when you’ve had enough fun.
Short Poems about Honesty
Short and sweet, these short poetries about honesty get straight to the point. They may be brief, but they pack a punch and offer a powerful reminder of the importance of honesty.
1. Whole Duty of Children
by Robert Louis Stevenson
A child should always say what’s true
And speak when he is spoken to,
And behave mannerly at table;
At least as far as he is able.
2. True Nobility
by Robert Nicoll
I ask not for his lineage,
I ask not for his name;
If manliness be in his heart,
He noble birth may claim.
I care not though of this world’s wealth
But slender be his part,
If yes, you answer, when I ask
Hath he a true man’s heart?
I ask not from what land he came,
Nor where his youth was nursed;
If pure the stream, it matters not
The spot from whence it burst.
The palace or the hovel,
Where first his life began,
I seek not for; but answer this,
Is he an honest man?
3. The Toilet Dream Speaks the Truth
by Sarah Jones
I had a dream
Where all my clothes
Were in my toilet bowl
Clogging it.
Apparently this means that
I am drenched in emotions
Which need to be released
And expressed,
So I wrote
This poem.
4. The Naked Truth
by Tim Smith
Laid right there on some fluffy grass
waiting for all the boys to pass
the wind would blow
Callie would show
those gazing down her prickly azz
5. The Honest Truth
by Paul Callus
I know my darling how hard you try
But I’m still partial to mama’s pie!
6. The Sad Truth About Life
by Theresa
Oh the horror!
For people,
it’s just fun!
7. Some
by Anonymous
some love will be given
given
she loves me
I won’t be held a puppet
neither will she be held a puppet by me
obviously
it’s true love or
this cannot be
Long Poems about Honesty
For those who prefer a more in-depth exploration of the theme of honesty, these long poetries about honesty will not disappoint. from epic tales to intimate reflections, these works offer a rich and rewarding reading experience.
1. Happiness
by Alexander Pope
Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise,
By mountains piled on mountains, to the skies?
Heaven still with laughter the vain toil surveys,
And buries madmen in the heaps they raise.
Know all the good that individuals find,
Or God and nature meant to mere mankind.
Reason’s whole pleasure, all the joys of sense,
Lie in three words,—health, peace, and competence.
But health consists with temperance alone;
And peace, O virtue! peace is all thy own.
The good or bad the gifts of fortune gain;
But these less taste them as they worse obtain.
Say, in pursuit of profit or delight,
Who risk the most, that take wrong means or right?
Of vice or virtue, whether blest or curst,
Which meets contempt, or which compassion first?
Count all th’ advantage prosperous vice attains,
‘T is but what virtue flies from and disdains:
And grant the bad what happiness they would,
One they must want, which is, to pass for good.
Oh, blind to truth, and God’s whole scheme below,
Who fancy bliss to vice, to virtue woe!
Who sees and follows that great scheme the best,
Best knows the blessing, and will most be blest.
But fools the good alone unhappy call,
For ills or accidents that chance to all.
Think we, like some weak prince, the Eternal Cause,
Prone for his favorites to reverse his laws?
Shall burning AEtna, if a sage requires,
Forget to thunder, and recall her fires?
When the loose mountain trembles from on high,
Shall gravitation cease, if you go by?
“But sometimes virtue starves while vice is fed.”
What, then? Is the reward of virtue bread?
That, vice may merit, ‘t is the price of toil;
The knave deserves it when he tills the soil,
The knave deserves it when he tempts the main,
Where folly fights for kings or dives for gain.
Honor and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honor lies.
Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow;
The rest is all but leather or prunella.
A wit’s a feather, and a chief a rod,
An honest man’s the noblest work of God.
One self-approving hour whole years outweighs
Of stupid starers, and of loud huzzas.
Know then this truth (enough for man to know),
“Virtue alone is happiness below.”
The only point where human bliss stands still,
And tastes the good without the fall to ill;
Where only merit constant pay receives,
Is blest in what it takes and what it gives.
2. The Honesty of Promise
by Todd Anthony
When we speak a promise, we give our word
A sacred bond that should never be blurred
For honesty in promise is a noble trait
One that should never be left to fate
A promise kept is a treasure indeed
A testament to our integrity, a noble deed
But if we break our word, we lose our trust
And that, my friend, is a serious bust
So let us be true to our word each day
And let honesty guide us in every way
For when we keep our promises, we build trust
And that, my friend, is worth more than gold or lust
Let us be true to our word, come what may
And let integrity be our guiding ray
For when we speak with honesty and heart
Our promises become a work of art
So let us hold true to our promises made
And let our actions never betray
For in the honesty of our promise, we find
A treasure that is truly divine
Let us keep our word, no matter the cost
For in the honesty of promise, we are never lost
And when we keep our word, we find
That our word becomes our noblest bind.
3. A Moment of Truth
by Silke Wettergren
My dear love, I wanted to share
My thoughts, my feelings and
What makes me despair?
I want to share with you
What makes me happy what makes me feel blue…
So you can sense that my love is honest and true.
Every day, not a single minute
Passes by without you in it.
Your skin, your voice, your body and your touch.
All of these moments, I miss them so much.
You are so present, so deep in my heart,
And our souls, I just know, will never part,
But circumstance and distance can be so overwhelming
They close doors and create doubt and we start blaming.
There are actions of mine, and I know that for sure,
That feel so wrong, though my intentions are pure.
They are painful and impossible to bear,
And you feel it’s all so unfair.
You can’t run from yourself;
There is no place to hide.
It just hurts you so deep.
It hurts your heart and your pride.
Then I worry that if I continue to stay.
Will it be wrong and will I be in your way?
I fear that I am not at all what you need
And that this truth will make my heart break and bleed.
Then I sit here and wipe away my tears,
Wishing you could kiss away my fears.
If only you knew how much
I miss and need your embrace and your touch.
I know I can’t hide from my thoughts and my fear,
And I know at these times I don’t seem near,
But you break down these walls
With the strength of your love,
And then I feel blessed
From God above!
4. My Honesty
by Viola Chen
I was born on December 7th
I hear that makes me a Saggitarius
I am 5’5, i think
I’m a sucker for anything sweet and any kind of music
I’m still learning how to communicate and make my voice be heard
I’m often loud with the people I know and am comfortable with
I’m often quiet with those I don’t know or don’t trust enough
I like sounds and fantasies
I’ve been told that I should speak up
People say that I can focus too much on things that don’t matter, but it matters to me
People say that I can look tired or mad when I’m not, maybe I am
Secretly, I wish I could just keep awake forever, but I’m always tired
I have this odd fascination with books and the way the pages turn
I assume it’s because I want to escape my own story and would rather live the lives of others
I know it sounds crazy, but escaping the world is easier than it looks
And to be honest, I wish everyone could do it and join me, but I’m scared to leave everything behind
I know this sounds weird, but sometimes I wonder if anything would change if I just let everything be
I wonder what the future is like. I’m scared to know
I’m afraid that everything won’t turn out how I wish it would
Hi, my name is V.C
I enjoy books and movies, food and sleep, taking pictures and listening to people
But I don’t allow myself to talk or rest as much as I should
I have three sisters, none of whom I am as close to as I wish to be
I have a dog who I love with all my heart
My hobbies are reading, writing, and cooking
I don’t know what the world looks like outside my room, but I do know if I just open the door I could see it all
I know I have people here for me
I know death is not the end, the story just continues.
5. The Honest Man
by Crocket Mcelroy
I love the man who speaks the truth,
And never tells a lie,
Whose honesty bloomed in his youth,
And was not born to die.
I love to see him take his place,
In busy ranks of men,
And love to see his honest face,
Glowing with manhood then.
In office, or in place of trust,
Watching the people’s vault,
His ev’ry act is right and just,
And no one fears default.
With soul upright and conscience clear,
And heart in virtue strong,
There is no force can make him steer
In any course that’s wrong.
He pays his debts whene’er he can
And never should be prest,
No need pursue the honest man,
He always does his best.
His conscience is his beacon light,
It always guides his way.
His path is blazed with glory bright,.
He does not go astray.
He loves his God and loves his soul,
And knows that both love him;
He gladly yields to their control,
And with them keeps in trim.
Adversity’s dread winds may blow,
And carry off his wealth,
And fell disease its seeds may sow,
And undermine his health.
His fortune which is breakable,
His foes may rend apart,
They’ll find his soul impregnable,
And cannot break his heart.
His soul approves each manly deed.
And cheers him in his race,
And in the time of greatest need,
Wreathes smiles upon his face.
His truest friends endorse his plan,
And admire for his worth,
God’s noblest work, the honest man,
As nothing else on earth.
6. Grey Pages
by Pristine
Locked up in space between the letters,
Peering half-visible
Within my bleak camouflage
Awaiting you to see my features
Chiseled by water and smoke.
Tear me away
From greying pages of these books,
Catch dreaming me on-line
With all your hooks
And pull…
You only seem to think of me
When you are tired of the world
Yet still I want
The melodies of breath
To come to harmony and halt:
I pray that you believe
My deeds and words
When our embrace
Feels like the perfect mould.
As morning mist, my thoughts
Conceal the distant sights:
The prisoners of coming times,
The spectres of our inner likeness that I wish to find.
I am no poet,
But I’m trapped within these lines.
Exhausting ink and sober mind
I tremble like a yellow leaf,
That never shall decay
Basking in feather-soft starshine
Of your enchanting gaze.
7. The Empress
by Anonymous
Each land’s delegates journey hence
All pleading, imploring, seeking to impress
Laden with favors and gifts:
vibrantly painted pottery upon the heads of servants,
heavy jewelry, festooned with corals and pearls,
husks of exotic grain dipped in sunsets.
Each emissary begs and simpers
face as truthful as a jinny’s
full of phony, tactless attempts at compliments.
Each prostrates and genuflects,
assuming his homeland’s health hangs
in this royal court’s balance.
It is not befitting for an empress to confess:
I do not care for their wheedling displays.
Requests need not be dressed in bribes.
Speak simply! Stand honest and guileless!
8. A Boy’s Transformation: From Mischief to Righteousness
by Anonymous
A boy once lived, with a heart of gold,
But he made a mistake, so bold.
He took a ride, on the carousels with glee,
But forgot to pay, for it to be free.
The princess caught him, and called his folks,
She taught him a lesson, about honesty and hope.
She showed him the way, to be just and true,
And he learned his lesson, of what he must do.
He worked hard, to make amends,
And proved to the princess, he was a true friend.
He paid for the ride, and apologized with care,
And learned to always be fair.
Now this boy, is a shining star,
An example to all, near and far.
With a heart of gold, and a mind so bright,
He shines like a beacon, in the darkest of night.
9. Connection to be Made
by Anonymous
“This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”
Living out all that Moses has given unto the people
Through the path that is written
Not following the one who gave unto Moses
Now that we are able to accept the Lord Jesus
Following the example of that which is spoken
Living out what the Lord Jesus has spoken
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Spoken out unto everyone
Being shared for all to hear
Decide for yourself
Follow the Lord Jesus or reject
What will you do on this day?
Be continuously filled with the Holy Ghost
Live according the Spirit
“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”
Mindful of where we stood
Living the Example we received
Sure that all you receive from us is love
Speaking the gospel, living the gospel
To be doers and not hearers only
As to not stand as a hypocrite, or become a reprobate
“If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”
All that is shown and given
Brought forth and made clear
Yet all for naught in how you’ve grown
The fruit of Spirit fading
No armor on to fight the good fight
Are you truly sure where you stand?
“Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
Poems about Honesty That Rhyme
Rhyming poems have a musical quality that makes them easy to remember and fun to recite. in this section, we’ll explore rhyming poems on honesty
that celebrate the beauty and power of language.
1. Honesty
by Bhargavi Ravindra
No legacy is as rich as honesty to leave behind
No asset is as great as honesty that enriches mind
No voice is as powerful as honesty, your heart to guide
No word is as meaningful as honesty to swell with pride.
One who adheres to principle and facts, is honest
One who loves for-what-than-who-you are, is honest
One who inspires to be fearless and upfront, is honest
One who dares to raise voice against injustice, is honest
In actions, words and dealings -be clear and transparent
Corruption, bribery, flattery and nepotism-be always against
Greats endure pain to follow righteousness, however difficult
On life’s tight walk, do not crave to strike rich without sweat.
Win over lies, deceit, and treachery with love, respect and fair play
Honesty is a jewel that shines-shines brighter, rest fades away
Honesty is a bitter pill to gulp, gulp you must to lead the way
Quality than Quantity of life matters most, at the end of the day.
A child should be taught to be honest at a very early age
Set an example by emoting honesty at every step and stage
Honesty instils compassion, concern, credibility and courage
It is a virtue that differentiates between a devil and a sage.
Stakes may be high, don’t ever compromise on values
A Right can never ever be Wrong, however one views
Forever under HIS scanner, keep hands clean and heart true (His …God)
Give best to the humanity the best will come back to you.
2. Honesty, Honestly?
by Jamaal J Ferguson
Honesty the lost art
Honesty is rare
it should cost a lot
It would be sublime if
We could find it
Honestly, honesty is the best policy
We should treasure the
thought cherished engulfed
combined with
Loyalty
till death do us part
I yurn
The lies tiring
like ones sleepy
lay down Suffocating to a corpse
Thought is boss
employ by it
We’re all guilty I guess
Liar liar in court
A sentient being-ness
Troth be told
I can’t believe in this
Question,
Am I the only one seeing this?
Or only me blind and ain’t Seeing ****
I try and **** it out
its epidemic, Chronic
The remedy Poetry Hop
Visual Sonnets
**** naked in
My correspondence
Articulating articles
Waiting for responses
Is it a defense mechanism
of the conscious
Honesty? Honestly
Seems like everyone’s
Not doing it so its gotta BE
Non honesty
The ever lasting Prophecy
And were full filling it
The good succumbs
to the villainous
My willingness
to compromise my will
I guess
You could interpret as weak
Most realize
the Inside scoop
Yet everyone tells lies
non interested in truth
Me, a victim and a suspect
An on going cycle yet
I ask what’s next
as if I didn’t know
Where the L lies underlying Facts can’t grow
HonestLy, we all lose an L to Honesty!
3. Honesty
by Barry
Like a fragile crystal glass if dropped.
So too is honesty hard to hold.
For some times honesty is hard to take if truth be told.
And so we hide it like children playing hide and seek.
Hoping to be last to be found.
Yet honesty should always be lead with.
Even if it means something gets broken.
For things through honesty may be mended faster.
For honesty whether it’s a good or bad thing.
Honesty is always the best thing of all.
4. I Am Me I’m Honesty
by O’Reily
Didn’t listen to a word they said,
Don’t let it go to your head,
No sweeter than a Siamese cat,
A pillow soft to follow that.
I am me I am honesty,
I am me to be honest highly modest,
To dress you up not incorrect,
As I lead you on that subject txt,
No sense of cure no maintenance here,
No in between to acetate fewer.
I am me I’m honesty,
I am modest to be honest.
To the people on the street,
In all my work friends up all week,
And in glory you appear,
At night you disappear.
I am me I’m honesty.
I am modest to be honest,
In private times asking this big question,
Its easy to sell in one direction.
A give or take its hard to make,
Give me one more big suggestion.
I am me I’m honesty,
I am modest I do promise,
I am me I’m honesty,
I’m getting away from my O’Reily office.
5. Honesty
by Sherri Harder
Honesty is being real and not being fake.
It’s about being open with yourself,
and more than give and take.
Honesty is not telling all your secrets
to everyone on the street.
Its about sharing truth to what is asked
and is a great and honorable feat.
Honesty is being loyal when you say you will fulfill.
Honesty is keeping promises and not blabbing
them at your will.
Honesty feels love and shares so openly.
Honest people learn to cherish and feel
so much empathy.
6. Honesty
by Mohammad Skati
If honesty is with everyone and in everything, then
It’s called clear dishonesty …
Honesty tells itself
By itself …
We cannot mix both
Honesty and dishonesty
Anytime, anywhere, and everywhere
Simply because they are both
Like parallel lines that never meet
Even if they try anytime …
7. Honesty is Luxury
by Lyndi Bell
Honesty is a luxury… but not many people would buy it.
The view of the end of your own nose costs more than most know.
Up in the air or down at your toes, your soul see’s something you do not.
Honesty is a luxury… but not many people would buy it.
Throwing lies into a game of heads or tails, setting your values so low.
Naivety and cynicism is the road sought.
Honesty is a luxury, but it’s not something you willing bought.
Stop the charade, just own your facade, those people you fooled, in your lies they did the rot.
Festering and lingering, your words of false they did hear…forget the person you did once appear.
Honesty is a luxury that many people would not buy.
That’s why you’re still here, because most believe the lie.
Poems about Honesty for Children
Teaching children about honesty is an important lesson that will serve them well throughout their lives. in this section, we’ll explore poems about honesty for kids that are age-appropriate and engaging for young readers.
1. Little Things
by Julia Fletcher Carney
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land.
Thus the little minutes,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.
2. Love Between Brothers and Sisters
by Isaac Watts
Whatever brawls disturb the street,
There should be peace at home;
Where sisters dwell and brothers meet,
Quarrels should never come.
Birds in their little nests agree;
And ’tis a shameful sight,
When children of one family
Fall out and chide and fight.
3. The Violet
by Jane Taylor
Down in a green and shady bed
A modest violet grew;
Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,
As if to hide from view.
And yet it was a lovely flower,
No colours bright and fair;
It might have graced a rosy bower,
Instead of hiding there.
Yet there it was content to bloom,
In modest tints arrayed;
And there diffused its sweet perfume,
Within the silent shade.
Then let me to the valley go,
This pretty flower to see;
That I may also learn to grow
In sweet humility.
4. A Farewell
by Charles Kingsley
My fairest child, I have no song to give you;
No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray;
Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you
For every day.
Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;
Do noble things, not dream them all day long:
And so make life, death, and that vast forever
One grand, sweet song.
5. The Ants
by Jane Taylor
A little black ant found a large grain of wheat
Too heavy to lift or to roll;
So he begg’d of a neighbour he happen’d to meet,
To help it down into his hole.
“I’ve got my own work to look after,” said he;
“You must shift for yourself, if you please;”
So he crawl’d off as selfish and cross as could be,
And lay down to sleep at his ease.
Just then a black brother was passing the road,
And seeing his brother in want,
Came up and assisted him in with his load,
For he was a good-natured ant.
Let all who this story may happen to hear,
Endeavour to profit by it ;
For often it happens that children appear
As cross as the ant, every bit.
And the good natured ant who assisted his brother
May teach those who choose to be taught,
That if little insects are kind to each other,
Then children most certainly ought.
6. Kindness to Animals
by Anonymous.
Little children, never give
Pain to things that feel and live:
Let the gentle robin come
For the crumbs you save at home,—
As his meat you throw along
He’ll repay you with a song;
Never hurt the timid hare
Peeping from her green grass lair,
Let her come and sport and play
On the lawn at close of day;
The little lark goes soaring high
To the bright windows of the sky,
Singing as if ’twere always spring,
And fluttering on an untired wing,—
Oh! let him sing his happy song,
Nor do these gentle creatures wrong.
Poems about Honesty in a Relationship
Honesty is essential for any healthy relationship. in this section, we’ll explore poems about the importance of honesty in romantic relationships, friendships, and more.
1. Honesty Is Everything in a Relationship
by Anonymous
Trust is everything in a relationship,
without it your whole world can fall apart.
Hearts collide continuously and as they do,
they search for the one thing that matters most.
With it young seeds begin to sprout,
beautiful colors of red, yellow, and blue.
Filling the universe with a plethora of beauty,
happiness, and unending inspiration.
Always remember to be open and honest.
Never leave her guessing or wondering about anything.
Look deep into her eyes whenever you speak,
let her know that your words are true.
Leave no room in her heart for questions or doubts,
instead fill it with unending love and devotion.
Be there for her in every way and always remember,
to move her heart and soul like she’s never felt before.
2. Honest Relationship
by Anonymous
Hello flower of the land,
Your beauty will never be like dry hand,
Your beauty is spreading like ocean sand,
Your beauty does not need any single fund,
Be carefully with dishonest men,
They always bring bad omen,
Please be careful beautifully women,
Your beauty is ten over Ten,
You beautiful women,
Be carefully with such conmen,
They will steal your love while their words rotten,
But they will pretend to love you often,
I will be with you forever,
Respect, focused, trustfullness and honest forever,
I will not cheat you forever,
Dishonesty will be never,
I will be your inner lover,
3. Seduction
by Nzongi Mwero
With an essence of a sultry indulgence that will entice
as often as it excites;
my words seek passage —
penetrating your psyche,
as they crawl across your thoughts.
serenading your mind with
lustful passages;
littering your innocence
with filth —
saturated in honesty
dripping with vivid insight;
conceived through insanity.
raging with passion.
4. Honesty
by Anonymous
Sometimes the truth,
we are tempted to hide.
Due to our guilt,
or just simple pride.
An exaggeration,
may lead to a lie.
Those that affected,
may break down and cry.
When honesty,
we try to avoid.
Relationships,
are often destroyed.
Our intentions,
are not to distress.
The only solution,
is to genuinely confess.
If we continue these ways,
we shall never gain trust.
For healthy relationships,
it’s an absolute must.
When we have done wrong,
we should be honest and frank.
People will appreciate,
in the end they will thank.
5. Honesty Each Day Keeps the Dad Relationships Away
by Anonymous
How do you keep a good relationship, you ask?
Well, let’s start with breaking up with the Past.
Live in the present, look forward to the future,
Make friends and relationships that fill you with humor.
Relationships that make you laugh make you happy.
But sometimes you also need a chance to get sappy.
Say “I love you” often, but not all the time,
Saying it too much, makes it not so sublime.
Trust one another, support is what matters,
Respect and responsivity also can flatter.
Communicate alot and share your thoughts well,
this is how you can avoid that break up bombshell.
But the most important thing to remember before going astray, is that
being honest each day, keeps the bad relationships away.
6. Profoundly Honest
by Beckie
I am so profoundly honest
you’ll be begging me for lies
so frightened by the truth
you’ll want to hide
i am so profoundly real
you’ll be covering me up
accepting my authenticity can be tough
i am so profoundly honest
initially you won’t believe me
how can my kind of genuine
be reality?
how can that kind of bravery
be allowed?
i am so profoundly honest
you’ll be begging me for lies
anything to forget
anything to distract yourself
from the ongoing nightmare
of truth
Poems about Honesty and Integrity
Integrity is closely linked to honesty. in this section, we’ll explore poems about the importance of living with integrity, and how honesty is an essential part of that.
1. Honesty and Integrity
by Mark Tilford
Honesty:
The quality of being honest
Look at me directly in the eyes
Before you lie
When you agonize
And dramatize
I will analyze
And
I will realize
And
Recognize
I will not empathize
I will brutalize
So I would not jeopardize
Integrity:
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
With dignity
Empathy
Without enemies
Ethically
No jealousy
Purity
Seeing objectively
Respectively
Never causing unpleasantries
The two go hand and hand
Not
Separately
2. Duty
by Edgar A. Guest
To do your little bit of toil.
To play life’s game with head erect;
To stoop to nothing that would soil
Your honor or your self-respect;
To win what gold and fame you can,
But first of all to be a man.
To know the bitter and the sweet.
The sunshine and the days of rain;
To meet both victory and defeat.
Nor boast too loudly nor complain;
To face whatever fates befall
And be a man throughout it all.
To seek success in honest strife.
But not to value it so much
That, winning it, you go through life
Stained by dishonor’s scarlet touch.
What goal or dream you choose, pursue,
But be a man whate’er you do!
3. It Matters Much!
by Anonymous
It matters little where I was born,
Or if my parents were rich or poor;
Whether they shrank from the cold world’s scorn
Or walked in the pride of wealth secure;
But whether I live an honest man,
And hold my integrity firm in my clutch,
I tell you, my brother, as plain as I can,
It matters much!
It matters little how long I stay
In a world of sorrow, sin, and care;
Whether in youth I am called away,
Or live till my bones and pate are bare;
But whether I do the best I can
To soften the weight of adversity’s touch
On the faded cheek of my fellow man,
It matters much!
It matters little where be my grave,
On the land or on the sea,
By purling brook or ‘neath stormy wave —
It matters little or naught to me;
But whether the Angel of Death comes down
And marks my brow with his loving touch,
As one that shall wear the victor’s crown,
It matters much!
4. The Honest Man’s Fate
by Crocket Mcelroy
Friends have advised me to give up my plan
And shun the sad fate of the honest man.
They tell me ’tis hard, his comforts are few,
And what they tell me I know to be true;
But still I prefer to stick to my plan,
And cherish the fate of the honest man.
I have dear children to clothe and to feed,
And a father’s love that knows what they need,
Grief comes to my heart, gray hairs on my head,
For fear I will fail to keep them in bread,
Yet I am trying to do what I can,
And cherish the fate of the honest man.
My wife is gloomy, down-hearted and sad,
She fears my troubles will make me go mad,
Poor soul, she don’t know how heavy the weight
That hangs on my heart and threatens my fate.
Still I’m determined to do what I can,
And cherish the fate of the honest man.
Debts overwhelm me and creditors call,
No more can I pay, they already have all.
The sheriff may come to bleed me afresh,
And take by the law one pound of my flesh;
But now, nor never, will I change my plan,
For I cherish the fate of the honest man.
In liquid poisons I do not indulge,
Nor by vile language my weakness divulge:
From labor and right I never do quail,
And still my efforts continue to fail,
Yet I keep trying to do what I can
To merit the fate of the honest man.
O, God of the poor, extend thy good word,
And grant the honest a better reward,
Save them from Shylocks, temptation and pain,
Make troubles on earth in heaven their gain,
O, give me the strength to live by my plan,
And die the proud death of the honest man.
5. Lying Honestly
by Brandylee
They lied.
I’m sorry
You are nothing and,
They make you feel like,
You are amazing, but
You’re not.
You’re terrible.
It’s a lie when they say,
You’re funny and kind and smart.
In all honesty,
You’re so broken.
Even if they make you feel like,
You’re on top of the world.
Always remember,
They are lying to you.
Listen.
You have no reason to,
Believe in yourself.
Please, just
stop.
Poems about Honesty and Trust
Trust is built on honesty. in this section, we’ll explore poems about the relationship between honesty and trust, and how they are essential for any healthy relationship.
1. Truth, Trust and Honesty
by J Travis Standland
Truth and trust and honesty align with one another
To form the coalition, that bonds man to man as brother
Truth is what we tell our friends, so they know where they stand
Truth is sadly missing now, there’s so much that’s under-hand
Trust is gained from talking straight, and liars are worse than thieves
Trust a thief, you know he’s a thief, but a liar no-one ever believes
Honesty costs nothing, but it makes a friendship strong
Honesty’s a virtue, for without it friendships gone
Honesty’s the lynch-pin, that can make the world run straight and true
But without truth and trust and honesty, what is there for me and you?
2. Trust and Honesty
by Sabine Taylor
There is one word
Called trust
So important in relationship
To be sure that you catch me
When I fall
Standing by my side
With respect
Because we are equal
In mind and soul
There is another one
Called honesty
The streamer that holds
Our relationship together
We both so close
Looking into each other’s eyes
Just to understand completely
What our relationship is all around
The fact that we are equal
In mind and soul
3. A Poem about Honesty and Authenticity
by Neil Patterson
Sacrifice to beauty
worship at the altar of love
Surrender to charity,
wear integrity like a glove
Stand up for what you believe in,
in essence know for what it is you care
Wherever there may be disharmony validate change
aim to be aware
Strive to be steadfast
do what it is that you must
Take time to recover from the realities of life
with an amour of trust
Laugh for no good reason
other than it wells up from within
And spills over with affection,
to be real is never a sin
Be honest but seek truth
as it is honesty’s kin
Show your heart to the world
and let your journey recommence or begin
4. Authenticity
by Ajna Wata
When the light of awareness bumps up against concrete form, a shadow is cast.
So, too, does knowledge imitate observation. They can resemble each other, but never completely.
A blind person filled with awe-inspiring wonder has more vision than anyone full of knowledge.
Awareness, observation and a smile alone are real. All else fades like clouds in the morning sun.
To be a good friend, see things as they are. Don’t think too much.
The best spiritual support is resonance of heart and mind.
Everything you think you know crumbles too easily to the ground.
Delight in the flashlight beams of peoples’ gaze,
See through their eyes,
Honor their perspective
And meet them where they are.
No matter what’s going on, it’s okay to shine.
It’s safe. Don’t be afraid.
Your smile is crooked!
Keep checking the mirror and notice
How tension seeks to subdue such radiant lips.
Breathe like the bellows stoking a clay-oven.
Glowing embers in the heart, navel & crown alight to flame,
Heating up with every passing breath.
This is the domain of the soul,
the seat of true beingness here and now.
Will the soul ever learn to be more of itself,
And less like the mind thinks it should be?
You have mastery within you, but you will never know it.
The purpose of the mind has never been to validate the soul,
But to serve it.
The heart gives voice to the soul,
like the chambers of a flute give voice to the wind.
To speak only thus is authenticity.
Such sincerity the mind could never pre-conceive,
But only open up to,
Support,
And yield to
In every golden moment.
5. Try Again
by Anonymous
‘T is a lesson you should heed,
Try, try again;
If at first you don’t succeed,
Try, try again;
Then your courage should appear,
For, if you will persevere,
You will conquer, never fear;
Try, try again.
6. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Farewell, farewell! but this I tell
To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!
He prayeth well who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.
He prayeth best who loveth best
All things, both great and small:
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all.
7. To a Child
by William Wordsworth
Small service is true service while it lasts:
Of humblest friends, bright creature! Scorn not one:
The daisy, by the shadow that it casts,
Protects the lingering dewdrop from the sun.
Poems about Honesty of Yourself
Honesty begins with ourselves. in this section, we’ll explore honest poems about yourself and being honest with ourselves, and how they can help us grow and develop as individuals.
1. A Life Mentored by Self Honesty
by Eldes Champs
To be honest with yourself is not something that is simple
To expose yourself to uncomfortable realities
that may clash with your engrained views
To allow yourself to be vulnerable to the questions
peeling the layers of biased paint from the walls of your mind
But your mind is flexible, and what I have learned
is that to be honest with yourself is to yearn
For a deeper understanding, one unaffected by a culture’s perspective
To spit out the manipulated beverage the world pushes you to swallow
To be honest with yourself is to ask all the questions
To seek all sides of each story
To see the world in a light thats reflective
Do not lie to yourself, you can’t force yourself to believe in something
Instead, know that you don’t know
and continue to experience life, staying true to yourself.
In being honest with myself I have found
A new sense of security, a new found peace
A new view on life that saves me from strife
A new perspective of my peers that makes me more understanding
Although this honesty does not free me from struggle and pain
It pushes me towards acceptance of any circumstance
It has freed me of a circular train of thought during my darkest times
So always listening to what I know I am feeling
always accepting what I believe and what I am not believing
always realizing that many things are fleeting
I have been mentored by this truth
To live my life founded in genuine
2. Self-Honesty
by Vikas Sharma
I never wanted to learn
the art of deception
yet it came to me
on its own conviction
Deceiving self about reality
Is about rewriting all
As I wanted it to be
Stretching a truth bit too far
Or hiding and twisting motives
So others would think well of me
I deceived myself
About myself
So that I portray a good self
This is how I practiced deception
Until it was beyond correction
Deceiving became my second nature
And I never felt the need for a cure
Then one day it dawned on me
Who am I deceiving if not me?
Honesty was forgotten long ago
In an effort to boost ego
My true self was more humane and kind
Not the ruthless self I now mind
Neither am I what I wanted to be
Nor the original real me
How could I be honest
With others if not with me
And to be honest
Honesty starts with me
I reorganized
But I was like a pile of hay
No idea where to start my day
Doing it daily bit by bit
I started to get honest about it
No one really cared who I am
It was just a pat less or slight slam
But the joy in this was great
For I was honest and straight
Now I could see myself in my eye
And be proud of who am I
3. My Honest Poem
by Rudy Francisco
I’m still learning how to whisper;
I’m often loud in places where I should be quiet,
I’m often quiet in places where I should be loud.
I was born feet first and I’ve been backwards ever since.
I like ginger ale . . . a lot.
I’ve been told that I give really bad hugs.
People say it feels like I’m trying to escape;
Sometimes, it’s because I am.
Secretly, I get really nervous every time someone gets close enough to hear me breathe.
I have this odd fascination with things like sandcastles and ice sculptures;
I assume it’s because I usually find myself dedicating time to things that will only last a few moments.
That’s also why I tend to fall in love with women who will never love me back.
I know it sounds crazy but it’s actually much easier than it seems,
And to be honest, I think it’s safer that way.
4. Be Honest With Yourself First and Everything Else Will Follow
by Mona Martinez
If you ever want to move forward in life,
the first person you have to be honest with is yourself,
forget everybody around you,
because either they are with you,
or just there to hold you back,
life too short to wonder about what if’s,
make mistakes but know the consequences,
life feels better when you know who’s truly by your side,
and who only there for the ride,
because when times get hard,
and you need somebody to talk to,
only those people who truly love you,
will be the only ones by your side,
so live life to the fullest,
laugh your butt off along the way,
and love the people who remind you who you are,
when you start to wonder off and get lost,
but most importantly,
always be honest with yourself.
5. Double Entendre
by Dan Harvill
Two truths will always appear
in all of the truths I’ve said
Be advised, the truth you hear
may not be the truth you read
6. Honesty Poem
by Dizzy Wright
Is…being honest always the way to go?
You lie because you don’t wanna let em go, but you wanna let em know, that you’re not just the average joe
Inside’s burning from the pain you may feel
From her first reaction and you walkin down the lane to be real
To be honest, to be everything she asks for
To be the color to her sky in her rim to her backboard
But you go back and forth thinking if honesty is the right way to go
Cause the object is to keep her and not see her turn and walk out that door
But you wanna show her you’re honest and that you’re trying to make it through round one
But just like they say don’t ask the questions if you don’t wanna know the answer
Why be honest if you don’t wanna know the outcome?
Now, I done had my share with women, share some women, hell, scared of women
But of also bear with women who compare attention needed only to repair some women
Now, I’m realizing that honesty from the words of the lips can emerge like a fist, smack you
And have you feeling lower then ever
You can be closer to never when you lie
So why be honest and lose when you can be happy and hide?
It’s like setting yourself up for failure, setting yourself up for destruction
Stressin’, cryin’, laying in the bed thinking about nothing
Catching the emotional case staring off in space, getting on myspace just to see if they took you off there top
Cause you don’t wanna do it, but you don’t wanna be the first
And you also don’t wanna be like every man, but you don’t wanna be the curse
See, women are the verse to the most unique sound we all cherish
And when you find them set of words that you enjoy being honest is helpless
That’s what we tend to think when we’re honest and lose
So women if you don’t like the truth don’t ask for a honest dude
Understand that a man comes a dime a doz’
And, just because I have a mind of love doesn’t mean I’m gonna wine and dine you up
Just respect what you ask for and we’ll be alright
And when I’m honest and it’s a problem, respect when I lie
Is being honest really worth it?
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, this collection of poems about honesty offers a diverse range of works that explore this fundamental virtue from different angles and perspectives.
From the famous to the funny, the short to the long, the rhyming to the reflective, these poems for honesty capture the beauty and power of honesty and offer wisdom and insight that can inspire us to live with integrity.
Whether you’re a child learning about honesty for the first time, or an adult seeking to deepen your understanding of this essential value, these poems about honesty have something for everyone.
So read on, enjoy, and let the power of truth transform your life.