Alberta Einstein once said that, "Relativity applies to physics, not ethics."  It is a reminder that we must remain consistent in our integrity, that it must not be relative to the situation or only be present when others are watching our behaviour and action.  Integrity and ethics, according to Einstein, should be present regardless of the situation and regardless of whether its demonstration causes us harm.  And that is the real test; that people are reluctant to exhibit strong, positive ethics when the result may impact them negatively.  But it is in these situations that integrity is truly demonstrated and revealed, for without a potential risk to oneself, there is no real validation that your integrity or ethics exists.

To starve to death is a small thing, but to lose one’s integrity is a great one.  Chinese proverb

Morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness.  Immanuel Kant

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.  Dwight Eisenhower