good faith

G

good faith

Meaning

• acting honestly, with pure motives, and without deceiving others.
• integrity in one’s actions and intentions.
• honesty and uprightness.
• sincere and without ulterior motives.
• fair, moral, and responsible.
• uprightness, virtue, and ethical conduct.
• authenticity, transparency, and genuineness in actions and words.
• moral soundness, faultlessness, and decency of character and behavior.

Example Sentences

1. The contract was negotiated and signed in good faith by both parties.
2. The company acted in good faith when they refunded the customer’s money.
3. The discussions were held in good faith to try and resolve the issue amicably.
4. We made the offer in good faith, hoping it would be accepted.
5. He accused her of not negotiating in good faith.
6. I apologize if I offended you; it was not my intention and certainly not done in good faith.
7. The judge ruled that the defendant had not signed the agreement in good faith.
8. They made the investments in good faith, believing the company’s prospects were good.
9. I approached him in good faith, hoping to mend our friendship.
10. Her actions, though misguided, were done with good faith and honest intentions.

Origin

The phrase “good faith” comes from the Latin phrase “bona fides,” which means “good faith” or “good belief.” The phrase “good faith” originated in Roman law and has been used in legal and moral contexts for centuries. It refers to honesty and integrity in one’s actions and intentions, without malice or fraud.

Good faith has long been considered an important legal concept, especially in things like contract law. Contracts are generally assumed to be made in good faith by both parties unless proven otherwise. In legal terms, good faith generally means being honest, having integrity, and not deceiving or taking unfair advantage of others. It implies reasonable fairness, morality, and responsibility.

The phrase “good faith” extends beyond just legal contexts. It is also used in moral and ethical discussions to refer to the honesty of intentions, sincerity of actions, and absence of deception. In religious texts like the Bible, there are references to acting in “good faith” toward others, meaning honestly and with pure motives, not deceitfully.

See also: bona fide meaning

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