I have found some of the best reasons I ever had for remaining at the bottom simply by looking at the men at the top.
—Frank Moore Colby (1865–1925) American Encyclopedia Editor, Essayist
Integrity is not a conditional word. It doesn’t blow in the wind or change with the weather. It is your inner image of yourself, and if you look in there and see a man who won’t cheat, then you know he never will.
—John D. MacDonald (1916–86) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
The time is always right to do what’s right.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
For the human mind is seldom at stay: If you do not grow better, you will most undoubtedly grow worse.
—Samuel Richardson (1689–1761) English Novelist, Printer, Publisher
Do not repeat anything you will not sign your name to.
—Unknown
Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success or failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
A man can do only what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Though of all poses a moral pose is the most offensive, still to have a pose at all is something.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Transcend political correctness and strive for human righteousness.
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest good faith; having never believed there was one code of morality for a public, and another for a private man.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Live so that your friends can defend you, but never have to.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
I believe that a life of integrity I the most fundamental source of personal worth. I do not agree with the popular success literature that says that self-esteem is primarily a matter of mind set, of attitude—that you can psych yourself into peace of mind. Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
You cannot believe in honor until you have achieved it. Better keep yourself clean and bright: you are the window through which you must see the world.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
There is no man so good that if he placed all his actions and thought under the scrutiny of the laws, he would not deserve hanging ten times in his life.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
In failing circumstances no one can be relied on to keep their integrity.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
You can’t learn too soon that the most useful thing about a principle is that it can always be sacrificed to expediency.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them, if they will not apply themselves to me.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
It is far better to be trusted and respected that it is to be liked.
—Unknown
Character is higher than intellect… a great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Integrity is the essence of everything successful.
—Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) American Inventor, Philosopher
The universe seems bankrupt as soon as we begin to discuss the characters of individuals.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
He who is upright in his way of life and free from sin.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
To do an evil act is base. To do a good one without incurring danger, is common enough. But it is the part of a good man to do great and noble deeds though he risks everything in doing them.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
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