Testimony of truth and integrity

What it is: The testimony of integrity demands truthfulness, trustworthiness, and coherence between conviction and practice.

How the tradition understands it: Historically, this led Quakers to refuse oaths, on the argument that speech must always be truthful, and not only under a special juridical formula. It also influenced commercial ethics and public responsibility.

Basis and context: Integrity is one of the pillars of the historical reputation of the Friends in business, arbitration, and civic commitment.

Debates and variations: The contemporary application of the testimony includes institutional transparency, relational honesty, and social responsibility.

Supportive

Advices and Queries

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Questions and counsels used by Quaker meetings for spiritual and communal examination.

Reference: Advices and Queries in different yearly meetings.
Content: The document invites reflection on truth, simplicity, peace, community, worship, and moral responsibility.
Use in debate: It is an important source for Quaker testimonies in practical contemporary language.

James 5:12

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A text often used against oaths.

Reference: James 5:12.
Content: The text recommends that yes be yes and no be no, without additional oaths.
Use in debate: It is one of the principal biblical bases of the Quaker testimony of integrity and rejection of oaths.

Matthew 5:33-37

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Jesus teaches not to swear and to maintain truthful speech.

Reference: Matthew 5:33-37.
Content: Jesus criticizes recourse to oaths and reinforces the simple truthfulness of speech.
Use in debate: It is an essential text for the Quaker testimony of truth and integrity.