Always tell the truth. If you can’t always tell the truth, don’t lie.
—Unknown
We are franker towards others than towards ourselves.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
If falsehood, like truth, had but one face, we would be more on equal terms. For we would consider the contrary of what the liar said to be certain. But the opposite of truth has a hundred thousand faces and an infinite field.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
It is a fine thing to be honest, but it is also very important to be right.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
A truth that’s told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
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
It is quite gratifying to feel guilty if you haven’t done anything wrong: how noble! Whereas it is rather hard and certainly depressing to admit guilt and to repent.
—Hannah Arendt (1906–75) German-American Philosopher, Political Theorist
Whatever games are played with us, we must play no games with ourselves, but deal in our privacy with the last honesty and truth.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
To make your children capable of honesty is the beginning of education.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity than straightforward and simple integrity in another. A knave would rather quarrel with a brother-knave than with a fool, but he would rather avoid a quarrel with one honest man than with both. He can combat a fool by management and address, and he can conquer a knave by temptations. But the honest man is neither to be bamboozled nor bribed.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Be prepared and be honest.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
Let the trumpet of the day of judgment sound when it will, I shall appear with this book in my hand before the Sovereign Judge, and cry with a loud voice, This is my work, there were my thoughts, and thus was I. I have freely told both the good and the bad, have hid nothing wicked, added nothing good.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Dare to be honest and fear no labor.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter
The truth needs so little rehearsal.
—Barbara Kingsolver (b.1955) American Novelist, Essayist, Poet
People generally think that it is the world, the environment, external relationships, which stand in one’s way, in the way of ones’ good fortune… and at bottom it is always man himself that stands in his own way.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
Just be honest with yourself. That opens the door.
—Vernon Howard (1918–92) American Spiritual Teacher, Philosopher
Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.
—George Burns (1896–1996) American Comedian
We tell lies when we are afraid… afraid of what we don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.
—Ted Williams (1918–2002) American Sportsperson
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
Always tell the truth. Even if you have to make it up.
—Unknown
People who talk much say nothing.
—Unknown
I am not an economist. I am an honest man!
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator
Honesty is the best image.
—Tom Wilson (1931–2011) American Cartoonist
To measure the man, measure his heart.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
The only disadvantage of an honest heart is credulity.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
Honesty is a good thing, but it is not profitable to its possessor unless it is kept under control.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
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
Honesty is the rarest wealth anyone can possess, and yet all the honesty in the world ain’t lawful tender for a loaf of bread.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
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