National Values: (Honesty) – JSS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Honesty is the human quality of being straightforward and truthful in words and actions. An honest person can be trusted because he always speaks the truth. Honesty shows in attributes such as truthfulness, godliness, loyalty, reliability, respect and courage, and it brings benefits such as trust, honour, promotion and popularity.

Leaders who value honesty honour honest people in society. Honesty is also described as the quality of communicating and acting truthfully.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. describe honesty;
2. list and explain the attributes of honesty;
3. state the benefits of honesty.

What are the attributes of honesty?

1. Truthfulness: an honest person tells the truth.
2. Honesty: it means always being truthful in any situation and all communication. He will tell the truth even if he is to be punished or hurt. He is straightforward and blunt.
3. Godliness: Honesty cannot be divorced from godliness. Honest people fear only God. It is the fear of God that makes a child report himself to the school authority when he destroys the school’s property and nobody knows about it.
4. Loyalty: An honest person is ever loyal to his beliefs and country.
5. Reliability: If someone is always telling the truth, not stealing or cheating, he can be depended on at all times. People can rely on his words, and he can be a witness in a court of law.
6. Respect: An honest person respects others since he also wants to be respected.
7. Courage: It takes courage to say the truth when others would not, for fear of being punished. We need courageous people in Nigeria.

What are the benefits of honesty?

1. Trust: Honesty makes a man reliable. He is not seen as a liar, and so when others are being punished, he is left unpunished.
2. Honour: Honest people have been honoured in the past by leaders who value honesty. Some have been conferred CFR, OFR and SON, and have gained materially and financially.
3. Promotion: Many people have been rewarded with promotions for being honest. Honesty can raise a man from grass to grace and from zero to hero.
4. Popularity: People have become popular for being honest.
5. Confidence: People can easily associate with honest persons, particularly in business. Their businesses flourish as a result of the confidence customers and business associates have in them.
6. They can be entrusted with responsibilities: Whenever there is a need to appoint people with integrity to a position, honest persons are given priority.

Evaluation

1. What is honesty?
2. List five attributes of honesty.
3. Explain how the fear of God can make a child honest.
4. State four benefits of honesty.

Assignment

1. Describe honesty.
2. Discuss the consequences of dishonesty.