The Avos Were Upright
The Netziv explains that Sefer Bereishis is called the Book of the Upright because the Avos were upright even toward the idolatrous nations around them.
A teaching ofRav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin of Volozhinהרב נפתלי צבי יהודה בן יעקב ברליןProfile ›
In his introduction to HaEmek Davar on Bereishis, the Netziv asks why the first book of the Torah is called Sefer HaYashar, the Book of the Upright. He answers that the Avos were not only righteous, devout and lovers of Hashem to the greatest degree, but also upright. They dealt with idolatrous nations with goodwill and cared for their welfare, which is part of keeping the world standing. Avraham prayed for Sodom though he hated its wickedness. Yitzchok readily made peace with those who opposed him. Yaakov answered Lavan gently. Because the book records this conduct, it bears the name of the upright. The Netziv contrasts Bilam, who wished to uproot Yisroel, yet asked that his end be like that of the upright. Uprightness in the world, he teaches, belongs to the character of the Avos' children.
Source: HaEmek Davar, Introduction to Bereishis
Choose one dealing today where no one would ever know if you cut a corner, such as a price, a promise, a bill, a parking spot or a polite reply to someone who is rude. Handle it with plain honesty and calm. Treat it as part of your avodah. The Avos' holiness showed in how they bought land, how they dug wells and how they spoke to neighbors. Let your Torah be visible in how you deal with people who do not share it, and let the ordinary hours of the day count.