If one asks the whence derives the authority of fundamental ends, since they cannot be stated and justified merely by reason, one can only answer: they exist in a healthy society as powerful traditions, which act upon the conduct and aspirations and judgments of the individuals; they are there, that is, as something living, without its being necessary to find justification for their existence.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Principle is a passion for truth and right.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Men of principle are always bold, but those who are bold are not always men of principle.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light or look the world in the face.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
In any assembly, the simplest way to stop the transacting of business and split the ranks is to appeal to a principle.
—Jacques Barzun (b.1907) American Cultural Historian, Philosopher
It’s easy to have principles when you’re rich. The important thing is to have principles when you’re poor.
—Ray Kroc (1902–84) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny – it is the light that guides your way.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
In effective personal leadership, visualization and affirmation techniques emerge naturally out of a foundation of well thought through purposes and principles that become the center of a person’s life.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
One thing I certainly never was made for, and that is to put principles on and off at the dictation of a party, as a lackey changes his livery at his master’s command.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
There is a point, of course, where a man must take the isolated peak and break with all his associates for clear principle; but until that time comes he must work, if he would be of use, with men as they are. As long as the good in them overbalances the evil, let him work with them for the best that can be obtained.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Historian, Political Leader, Explorer
It is easier to produce ten volumes of philosophical writing than to put one principle into practice
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
Peace won by the compromise of principles is a short-lived achievement.
—Unknown
Our inheritance of well-founded, slowly conceived codes of honor, morals and manners, the passionate convictions which so many hundreds of millions share together of the principles of freedom and justice, are far more precious to us than anything which scientific discoveries could bestow.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
The principles which men give to themselves end by overwhelming their noblest intentions.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
Important principles may and must be inflexible.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Custom is the principle magistrate of man’s life
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
A striking feature of moral and political argument in the modern world is the extent to which it is innovators, radicals, and revolutionaries who revive old doctrines, while their conservative and reactionary opponents are the inventors of new ones.
—Alasdair MacIntyre (b.1929) Scottish Philosopher, Author
Back of every noble life there are principles that have fashioned it.
—George Horace Lorimer (1867–1937) American Magazine Editor, Writer
The most effective way I know to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement or philosophy or creed. It focused on what you want to be (character) and to do (contributions and achievements) and on the values or principles upon which being and doing are based.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
The greatest horrors in the history of mankind are not due to the ambition of the Napoleons or the vengeance of the Agamemnons, but to the doctrinaire philosophers. The theories of the sentimentalist Rousseau inspired the integrity of the passionless Robespierre. The cold-blooded calculations of Karl Marx led to the judicial and business-like operations of the Cheka.
—Aleister Crowley (1875–1947) English Occultist, Mystic, Magician
A precedent embalms a principle.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
If I simply lived the principles that appeared to be truth for me, I would touch the lives of those I was destined to touch.
—Marlo Morgan (1937–98) American Novelist, Author
We all live in the protection of certain cowardices which we call our principles.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
You can’t live principals you can’t understand.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Power without principle is barren, but principle without power is futile. This is a party of government and I will lead it as party of government.
—Tony Blair (b.1953) British Statesman
A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Inventor
It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more “manhood” to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind.
—Alex Karras (1935–2012) American Football Star, Actor, Wrestler
He who floats with the current, who does not guide himself according to higher principles, who has no ideal, no convictions-such a man is a mere article of the world’s furniture-a thing moved, instead of a living and moving being-an echo, not a voice.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
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