Men must be honest with themselves before they can be honest with others. A man who is not honest with himself presents a hopeless case.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
It is impossible for a man to be cheated by anyone but himself.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.
—Robert Brault
Every time we give our word, it counts. For the most part, most people give it entirely too often. Our word is a precious commodity and should be treated as such.
—John-Roger, Peter McWilliams
If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
A thread will tie an honest man better than a chain a rogue.
—Scottish Proverb
The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be; and if we observe, we shall find, that all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
If you truly want honesty, don’t ask questions you don’t really want the answer to
—Common Proverb
A man’s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to escape the censures of the world. If the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself, seconded by the applauses of the public. A man is more sure of his conduct, when the verdict which he passes upon his own behavior is thus warranted and confirmed by the opinion of all that know him.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Act in earnest and you will become earnest in all you do.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.
—George Burns (1896–1996) American Comedian
An honest man nearly always thinks justly.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Nothing resembles an honest man more than a cheat.
—French Proverb
Men are disposed to live honestly, if the means of doing so are open to them.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.
—Harper Lee (1926–2016) American Novelist
No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804–64) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure that there is one less scoundrel in the world.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Confessed faults are half-mended.
—Scottish Proverb
Certainly he is not of the generation that regards honesty as the best policy. However, he does regard it as a policy.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator, Writer
Honesty is better than any policy.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
Society can exist only on the basis that there is some amount of polished lying and that no one says exactly what he thinks.
—Lin Yutang (1895–1976) Chinese Author, Philologist
A man is sorry to be honest for nothing.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Honesty is the best policy; but he who acts only on that principle is not an honest man.—No one is habitually guided by it in practice.—An honest man is always before it, and a knave is generally behind it.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Truth is such a rare thing, it is delightful to tell it.
—Emily Dickinson (1830–86) American Poet
There is something greater than wealth, grander even than fame—manhood, character, stand for success… nothing else really does.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Some persons are likable in spite of their unswerving integrity.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Frank and explicit; that is the right line to take when you wish to conceal your own mind and to confuse the minds of others.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Our great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are.
—Alexander Hamilton (c.1757–1804) American Federalist Politician, Statesman
Honesty is the cornerstone of character. The honest man or woman seeks not merely to avoid criminal or illegal acts, but to be scrupulously fair, upright, fearless in both action and expression. Honesty pays dividends both in dollars and in peace of mind.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Deal honestly and objectively with yourself; intellectual honesty and personal courage are the hallmarks of great character.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
From such crooked wood as that which man is made of, nothing straight can be fashioned.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
Respect for the truth is an acquired taste.
—Mark Van Doren (1894–1972) American Poet, Writer, Critic
Honesty towards yourself. Looking into your mirror, any time all the time will guide.
—Jacob Gelt Dekker (b.1948) Dutch Businessman, Writer
There’s one way to find out if a man is honest – ask him. If he says, “Yes,” you know he is a crook.
—Groucho Marx (1890–1977) American Actor, Comedian, Singer
The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Honesty of thought and speech and written word is a jewel, and they who curb prejudice and seek honorably to know and speak the truth are the only builders of a better life.
—John Galsworthy (1867–1933) English Novelist, Playwright
If thou employest plain men, and canst find such as are commonly honest, they will work faithfully, and report fairly. Cunning men will, for their own credit, adventure without command; and from thy business derive credit to themselves.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Many people today don’t want honest answers insofar as honest means unpleasant or disturbing. They want a soft answer that turneth away anxiety.
—Louis Kronenberger (1904–80) American Drama, Literary Critic
A little candor never leaves me. It is what protects me.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
One still strong man in a blatant land,
whatever they call him, what care I,
Aristocrat, democrat, autocrat – one
Who can rule and dare not lie.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
A man’s very highest moment is, I have no doubt at all, when he kneels in the dust, and beats his breast, and tells all the sins of his life.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
All other knowledge is hurtful to him who has not the science of honesty and good nature.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Trade is much superior to piracy. You can rob and kill a man but once, but you can cheat him again and again.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
You cannot do wrong without suffering wrong.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Nothing is quite honest that is not commercial, but not everything commercial is honest.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Honesty is never seen sitting astride the fence.
—Lemuel K. Washburn (1846–1927) American Freethought Writer