From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: If you were having difficulty on a critical test at school and could safely cheat by peeking online, would you?

Let me tell you right now, as someone who values integrity above all else, I wouldn’t even be tempted. Not for a millisecond. You see, cheating is like putting a giant asterisk next to your name. Sure, you might ace the test, but deep down, you’ll always know the truth. You didn’t earn that grade; you stole it. And trust me, your conscience is like that annoying kid in class who always reminds the teacher about homework – it won’t let you forget.

Here’s the thing: life is full of tough choices, and how we handle them defines who we are. It’s easy to do the right thing when everything is sunshine and rainbows, but it’s in those moments of adversity that our true character shines through. And let’s be real, if you can’t handle a difficult test without resorting to cheating, how will you cope with the actual challenges life will inevitably throw your way?

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. “But what if this test determines my entire future? Surely a little cheating is justified!” Well, my morally ambiguous friends, I have news for you. If your entire future hinges on a single test, you might want to reevaluate your life choices. Success is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and integrity – not on a house of cards constructed from lies and deceit.

In the end, it all comes down to this: do you want to be the kind of person who takes the easy way out, or do you want to be someone who faces challenges head-on and emerges stronger for it? I know my answer. But what about you? I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. And please, keep it clean – my mother reads this blog.

So, the next time you find yourself in a tough spot, remember: character is what you do when no one is watching. Choose wisely, my friends. Choose integrity.