credit where credit's due

with the most honorable of intentions, with the best of intentions, with no ulterior motive, in good faith, disinterestedly, above board

what for, on what occasion

(transitive with à) to be worthy of, to be a credit to, to do proud / (transitive with à) to do justice to / (transitive with à) to honour

gentleman, respectable man, decent man, good man

to tell the truth, truth be told, to be completely honest, to be completely frank

in all honesty, to tell the truth, to be completely honest, to be perfectly honest