People Who Seriously Lack Moral Integrity Do 9 Things The Second No One Is Watching
GaudiLab / Shutterstock People with a strong moral compass know the difference between right and wrong. They try to avoid sticky situations that would make them look bad or hurt someone they care about.
However, we’ve all dealt with someone on the complete opposite side of that spectrum who has no moral integrity and isn’t afraid to hurt the people they care about if they think they can get away with it. People like this are chronically dishonest. They’ll claim credit for something they had no part in, or break a promise without thinking twice. Maintaining friendships is less important to them. Instead, they prioritize their own wants and needs, and do whatever it takes to get them, even if that means pushing someone else down on their way up.
People with a serious lack of moral integrity are likely to do these things the second they think no one is watching them
1. Take credit for other people’s work
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Few things are more frustrating than putting effort into something only to have someone else take all the credit. When I look back on doing group projects in school, I realize I did most of the work while everyone else got to put their names on the assignment. Some people never ditch that behavior and will do whatever it takes to look like the best person in the room.
Whether it’s signing their name on a card after putting no effort into picking the gift, or claiming they did the big task that helped everyone at work when they clearly didn’t. This is known as overclaiming, and it can hurt relationships as resentment grows.
2. Act generous in front of others, but quickly change their behavior when they're alone
Has someone ever promised they’d help you with something, only not to show up when you need them? Someone who lacks integrity may want to look generous and thoughtful in front of a crowd, saying whatever it takes to win someone over. When it comes time to back up their words with actions, you can’t count on them to be there for you.
This person might be a covert narcissist. They want to be the center of attention and garner respect from others around them. However, they’re not afraid to act completely differently when no one is watching. All they care about is their image, not following through for others.
3. Gossip about everyone behind their backs
Sometimes, you meet someone charming and kind. You think they’re the sweetest person in the world, always there for other people. You trust them because they have never given you a reason not to. Then, suddenly, you find out they were talking poorly behind your back to everyone else. It’s painful and frustrating, but it’s something morally bankrupt people enjoy doing.
Someone who constantly spreads rumors may lack integrity and be cowardly. They’d never say it to your face. In fact, they do the exact opposite to look good.
4. Lie to make themselves look better
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Self-serving people will do whatever it takes to look good. Even if they aren’t as kind as they try to seem, they want to manipulate others to make themselves look perfect. This is a sign someone may be a pathological liar. They’ll change any narrative they can to come out on top, no matter who it hurts.
A person without moral integrity may lie as a compulsion. They often have little control over it because they are so used to saying and doing whatever it takes to get attention. Even if they tell simple lies about small events, they are passionate about portraying themselves as good people, not putting in the work to be one.
5. Deny accountability
Taking accountability requires admitting when you are wrong. For someone who lacks integrity, it can be hard to own up to their bad behavior. Sometimes, they may not understand they are doing something wrong. When their focus is on themselves, it’s not surprising that they don’t notice when they hurt someone.
This type of person struggles with criticism. Often, their ego is so inflated that they can’t bother to reflect on their actions. When no one is looking, they may have an easy time acting badly and pretending as if nothing happened.
6. Ignore rules
Entitled people like this live in a different world than most of us. They often think rules don’t apply to them. They may pretend to follow them when in front of others, but the second no one is looking, their behavior changes. They disregard everything to get what they want, especially when no one is around to hold them accountable.
Entitled people are more likely to disregard rules because they feel they are unfair to them. Instructions are merely a suggestion for a person without integrity. It’s especially easy for them to do whatever they want when no one else is looking.
7. Show no remorse for hurting others
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Though it sounds intense, some people who lack moral integrity might be psychopaths. That word gets thrown around without much thought, but it’s a genuine diagnosis some may have. A psychopath lacks empathy and remorse. They aren’t afraid to do whatever it takes to make themselves happy. When they hurt people along the way, they won’t care. Their only priority is coming out on top.
Sometimes, this type of person is good at faking kind behavior in front of a crowd. However, when no one is looking, it’s easier to be cold and show no remorse. In front of others, they want to look kind to manipulate them, but behind closed doors, they don’t actually care.
8. Things they look down on in public
We've all heard someone say they would never do something they see someone else doing. They look down on interests and behaviors of others, pretending to be holier-than-thou. It’s clear they see themselves as better than everyone else, and judge them for things they say or do for fun. It’s frustrating to be around someone like this, but it’s even worse when you realize they are all talk, no action.
If you find out they were doing what they said they’d never do when no one else was around, it’s clear they are hypocrites. All they care about is their image, not their actual behavior.
9. Treat people poorly when they can’t gain anything from them
Some people are toxic. They don’t care about the people around them unless they can gain something from them. Friendships don’t feel genuine with someone who lacks morals. They don’t care about maintaining them; rather, they view them as an exchange of goods. If they can advance through them, they’ll be great friends. If not, they’ll stop supporting them, especially when no one is looking.
Toxic people suck the life out of the room. They aren’t afraid to hurt people when they don’t feel like they add anything to their lives.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
