Guilt is a rope that wears thin.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher, Playwright, Screenwriter
The guilty is he who meditates a crime; the punishment is his who lays the plot.
—Vittorio Alfieri (1749–1803) Italian Poet, Dramatist
If any blame be attached to thee, be the first to declare it.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
It is base to filch a purse, daring to embezzle a million, but it is great beyond measure to steal a crown. The sin lessens as the guilt increases.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Let no guilty man escape, if it can be avoided. No personal consideration should stand in the way of performing a public duty.
—Ulysses S. Grant (1822–85) American Civil War General, Head of State
The guilty think all talk is of themselves.
—Geoffrey Chaucer (1343–1400) English Poet, Philosopher, Diplomat, Bureaucrat
Guilt is perhaps the most painful companion of death.
—Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004) American Psychiatrist
Adversity, how blunt are all the arrows of thy quiver in comparison with those of guilt.
—Hugh Blair (1718–1800) Scottish Preacher, Scholar, Critic
Let guilty men remember, their black deeds
Do lean on crutches made of slender reeds.
—John Webster (1580–1634) English Dramatist, Poet
Guilt soon learns to lie.
—Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835-1915) English Novelist
It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Guilt is a poor, helpless, dependent being. Without the alliance of able, diligent, and let me add, fortunate fraud, it is inevitably undone. If the guilty culprit be obstinately silent, it forms a deadly presumption against him; if he speaks, talking tends only to his discovery, and his very defence often furnishes the materials for his conviction.
—Junius Unidentified English Writer
It is the inevitable end of guilt that it places its own punishment on a chance which is sure to occur.
—Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802–38) English Poet, Novelist
Punishment closely follows guilt as its companion.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
He through whose agency another has been falsely punished stands outside of heaven’s gates.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Seek to make a person blush for their guilt rather than shed their blood.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
The difference between guilt and shame is very clear — in theory. We feel guilty for what we do. We feel shame for what we are.
—Lewis B. Smedes (1921–2002) American Christian Author, Ethicist, Theologian, Academic
Guilt is ever at a loss, and confusion waits upon it.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
How tedious is a guilty conscience.
—John Webster (1580–1634) English Dramatist, Poet
My hands are guilty, but my heart is free.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
He who denies his guilt doubles his guilt.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith