1. Sincerity Flows Spontaneously out of the Heart’s Affections

World Scripture

The heart is like a king with his troops. If the king is a good one, then his troops will be good too, and if the king is wicked, his troops follow suit… If a person’s heart is healthy, his body will be at ease, and if a person’s heart is malicious, the body will be malevolent.
Hadith (Islam)

Mind is the forerunner of all evil states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with wicked mind, because of that suffering follows one, even as the wheel [of the cart] follows the hoof of the draught ox. Mind is the forerunner of all good states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with pure mind, because of that happiness follows one, even as one’s shadow that never leaves.
Dhammapada 1-2 (Buddhism)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “God does not look at your forms and your possessions, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.”
Hadith of Muslim (Islam)

To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.
Titus 1.15

If you do not perceive the sincerity within yourself and yet try to move forth, each movement will miss the mark.
Chuang Tzu 23 (Taoism)

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
Romans 12.9-10

Sincerity [Absolute Truth] is the Way of Heaven; the attainment of Sincerity is the Way of man. He who possesses Sincerity achieves what is right without effort, understands without thinking, and naturally and easily is centered on the Way. He is a sage.
Doctrine of the Mean 20.18 (Confucianism)

While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in a state of equilibrium (chung). When those feelings have been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be called the state of harmony (ho). This equilibrium is the great root from which grow all the human actings in the world, and this harmony is the universal path which they all should pursue. Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish.
Doctrine of the Mean 1.4-5 (Confucianism)

By the Truth I mean purity and sincerity in their highest degree. He who lacks purity and sincerity cannot move others. Therefore he who forces himself to lament, though he may sound sad, will awaken no grief. He who forces himself to be angry, though he may sound fierce, will arouse no awe. And he who forces himself to be affectionate, though he may smile, will create no air of harmony. True sadness need make no sound to awaken grief; true anger need not show itself to arouse awe; true affection need not smile to create harmony. When a man has the Truth within himself, his spirit may move among external things. That is why the Truth is to be prized!
Chuang Tzu 31 (Taoism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon

You should speak with your mind—your inmost self. If it resonates with God, you can become one with God and automatically know the truth of the universe.
(102:34, November 19, 1978)

A good person can always embrace everything with his heart: whatever he sees, whomever he meets and wherever he goes.
(Way of God’s Will 2.3)

You cannot serve God with all your sincerity if you are simply following someone else’s instructions, or because someone obliges you to. The heart of sincerity is something that automatically springs forth from within you. In that state, you do not need any education about loyalty, filial piety and fidelity.
(Way of God’s Will 2.3)

When I put my hands to do something, I think, “I was born for this task.” You too should be able to say, “I was born for this; I was made for this.” Then work on it with enjoyment. Doing things because we like it is love. The relationship of love enables us to cross over the hill of joy. Until we find a way to like a task, we should not put our hands to it. God blesses the world when we enjoy what we do.
(308:214, January 5, 1999)

Blessed are those who have an unchanging internal standard of heart to worship Heaven, be harmonious with others, and love the earth.
(Way of God’s Will 2.3)

In order to attain the object of your sincerity, your mind must be unified. You must possess a single mind; you cannot have two minds. You must offer your sincerity with a single mind from the beginning to the end. Sincerity is not something you can lend to someone and then take back. Therefore, if your initial sincerity is not matched by equal sincerity in the middle and at the end, it cannot be called sincerity.
(17:227-28, January 29, 1967)

We cannot overcome with tricks or by talent, but only with sincerity.
(42:228, March 14, 1971)