Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life - all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.

Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) was an American salesman-turned-motivational speaker whose talks and books in the late 20th century emphasized character, faith, and practical habits as the foundation of achievement. This quotation reflects a recurring theme in his seminars and self-help writing: that “success” is not merely financial or professional, but holistic—touching family life, relationships, and personal reputation. Ziglar frequently argued that long-term success depends on trustworthiness and that ethical traits are learnable disciplines rather than fixed gifts. The phrasing suggests it likely comes from a prepared motivational passage (book, audio program, or speech) rather than an offhand remark.

The quote links success to moral character, asserting that competence alone is insufficient if others cannot trust you. By pairing “honesty” (truthfulness in word and action) with “integrity” (consistency between values and behavior), Ziglar frames success as sustainable only when one’s conduct is reliable across contexts—“all areas of life.” The second sentence shifts from prescription to empowerment: these virtues are not reserved for the naturally virtuous but can be cultivated through deliberate practice, accountability, and habit. The underlying significance is pragmatic as well as ethical: integrity builds credibility, and credibility compounds into opportunities, relationships, and resilience over time.