"Love without honesty is sentimentality. Honesty without love is cruelty." Great quote, Jerry!

I think it was you also that mentioned self-delusion as a means of defense. But it seems to me that also the more one truly knows oneself, the less defenses are needed. Defenses are needed against seeing one's own faults and failings, weaknesses and blind spots. I always examine my motives when someone makes me very angry...before putting it all on their behavior I try to find the trigger that may be buried there... something of mine I don't want to own.

I agree with all who have said that honesty, like charity, like love itself, begins at home. If I'm being really truthful with myself I will know from where my honesty to others is coming: concern for others or self-agrandizement and/or self-importance.

And in all honesty I'd have to say for me this is a goal, not always an achievement.