He who unjustly hands over one man’s goods to another, he shall pay God for it with his own soul.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Honesty is the best image.
—Tom Wilson (1931–2011) American Cartoonist
We need not be afraid to touch, to feel, to show emotion. The easiest thing in the world is to be what you are, what you feel. The hardest thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don’t let them put you in that position.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
Commend me to sterling honesty though clad in rags.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
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
A confession has to be part of your new life.
—Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) Austrian-born British Philosopher
Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
It is impossible for a man to be cheated by anyone but himself.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Honesty towards yourself. Looking into your mirror, any time all the time will guide.
—Jacob Gelt Dekker (b.1948) Dutch Businessman, Writer
It is not without good reason said, that he who has not a good memory should never take upon him the trade of lying.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
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
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
Honesty is one part of eloquence. We persuade others by being in earnest ourselves.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Honesty has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it. No ulterior motives. No hidden meanings. An absence of hypocrisy, duplicity, political games, and verbal superficiality. As honesty and real integrity characterize our lives, there will be no need to manipulate others.
—Chuck Swindoll (b.1934) American Evangelical Christian Pastor, Author
In the choice between changing one’s mind and proving there’s no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof.
—John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) Canadian-Born American Economist
The cruelest lies are often told in silence.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
There are people who think that honesty is always the best policy. This is a superstition; there are times when the appearance of it is worth six of it.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind.
—Austin O’Malley (1858–1932) American Aphorist, Ophthalmologist
The true measure of life is not length, but honesty.
—John Lyly (1554–1606) English Dramatist, Novelist, Writer
It is impossible to calculate the moral mischief, if I may so express it, that mental lying has produced in society. When a man has so far corrupted and prostituted the chastity of his mind as to subscribe his professional belief to things he does not believe he has prepared himself for the commission of every other crime.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
It is annoying to be honest to no purpose.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
The confession of our failings is a thankless office. It savors less of sincerity or modesty than of ostentation. It seems as if we thought our weaknesses as good as other people’s virtues.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
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
I saved a girl from being attacked last night. I controlled myself.
—Rodney Dangerfield (1921–2004) American Comedian, TV Personality, Actor
Truth is the most valuable thing we have, so I try to conserve it.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Honesty is better than any policy.
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
There are two great forces in this world—good and evil; and no man is worth his salt unless he has lost and won battle for a principle.
—A. P. Gouthey
Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness; no laziness; no procrastination; never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Any kind of lasting success is rooted in honesty.
—Russell Simmons (b.1957) American Music Promoter
Don’t worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.
—Laura Schlessinger (b.1947) American Radio Talk-Show Host, Author
Honesty is as rare as a man without self-pity.
—Stephen Vincent Benet (1898–1943) American Poet
A lie may take care of the present, but it has no future.
—Unknown
Honesty is praised and starves.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
The great consolation in life is to say what one thinks.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
An honest man nearly always thinks justly.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Let honesty be as the breath of thy soul; then shalt thou reach the point of happiness, and independence shall be thy shield and buckler, thy helmet and crown; then shall thy soul walk upright, nor stoop to the silken wretch because he hath riches, nor pocket an abuse because the hand which offers it wears a ring set with diamonds.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
If I can put one touch of a rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, 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
Honesty is the best policy.
—Common Proverb
The darkest hour in the history of any young man is when he sits down to study how to get money without honestly earning it.
—Horace Greeley (1811–72) American Elected Rep, Politician, Reformer, Editor
Thefts never enrich; alms never impoverish; murder will speak out of stone walls. The least admixture of a lie—for example, the taint of vanity, the least attempt to make a good impression, a favorable appearance—will instantly vitiate the effect.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
People who talk much say nothing.
—Unknown
Be sincere and true to your word, serious and careful in your actions; and you will get along even among barbarians, But if you are not sincere and untrustworthy in your speech, frivolous and careless in your actions, how will you get along even among your own neighbors? When stand, see these principles in front of you; in your carriage see them on the yoke. Then you may be sure to get along.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Truth fears no questions.
—Unknown
Honesty is the soul of business
—Dutch Proverb
The worst of my actions or conditions seem not so ugly unto me as I find it both ugly and base not to dare to avouch for them.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
To believe all men honest would be folly. To believe none so, is something worse.
—John Quincy Adams (1767–1848) Sixth President of the USA
No one can earn a million dollars honestly.
—William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) American Political leader, Diplomat, Politician
Just be honest with yourself. That opens the door.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher