As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
I confess that I cannot understand how we can plot, lie, cheat and commit murder abroad and remain humane, honorable, trustworthy and trusted at home.
—Archibald Cox (1912–2004) American Lawyer, Solicitor General
Trust, but verify.
—Russian Proverb
Never trust a man who speaks well of everybody.
—John Churton Collins (1848–1908) English Literary Critic
He who believes in nobody knows that he himself is not to be trusted.
—Berthold Auerbach (1812-82) German Novelist
Put not your trust in money, but put your money in trust.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
I will trust and not be afraid.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least who is indifferent about all.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
There is one safeguard, which is an advantage and security for all, but especially to democracies against despots. What is it? Distrust.
—Demosthenes (384–322 BCE) Greek Statesman, Orator
The inability to open up to hope is what blocks trust, and blocked trust is the reason for blighted dreams.
—Elizabeth Gilbert (b.1969) American Novelist, Memoirist
Candid and generous and just. Boys care but little whom they trust. An error soon corrected — for who but learns in riper years. That man, when smoothest he appears, is most to be suspected?
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
We’re all born brave, trusting, and greedy, and most of us remain greedy.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
One must be fond of people and trust them if one is not to make a mess of life.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot…And I missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is precisely…Why I succeed.
—Michael Jordan (b.1963) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody.
—Agatha Christie (1890–1976) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
Trust one who has tried.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Trust not any man with thy life, credit, or estate. For it is mere folly for a man to enthrall himself to his friend, as though, occasion being offered, he might not become an enemy.
—William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1521–98) English Political leader
Suspicion is far more apt to be wrong than right; oftener unjust than just. It is no friend to virtue, and always an enemy to happiness.
—Hosea Ballou (1771–1852) American Theologian
It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.
—Rita Mae Brown (b.1944) American Writer, Feminist
I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.
—Bernard Berenson (1865–1959) Russian-born American Art Historian
Trust in the person’s promise, who dares to refuse what they fear they cannot perform.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Deciding whether or not to trust a person is like deciding whether or not to climb a tree, because you might get a wonderful view from the highest branch, or you might simply get covered in sap, and for this reason many people choose to spend their time alone and indoors, where it is harder to get a splinter.
—Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) (b.1970) American Novelist
What has not been examined impartially has not been well examined. Skepticism is therefore the first step toward truth.
—Denis Diderot (1713–84) French Philosopher, Writer
The only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him.
—Henry L. Stimson (1867–1950) American Political leader, Military Leader, Lawyer
It is impossible to go through life without trust: that is to be imprisoned in the worst cell of all, oneself.
—Graham Greene (1904–91) British Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer
Don’t say you don’t have enough time.
You have exactly the same number of hours per day
that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur,
Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci,
Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (b.1940) American Self-Help Author
If you trust before you try, you may repent before you die.
—Common Proverb
Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
When we let someone be who they are without trying to change them, that is giving away love. When we trust that someone can handle his or her own life, and act accordingly, that is giving away love.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him, and to let him know that you trust him.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
Men trust their ears less than their eyes.
—Herodotus (c.485–425 BCE) Ancient Greek Historian
When a man has no reason to trust himself, he trusts in luck.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
To trust God when we have securities in our iron chest is easy, but not thankworthy; but to depend on him for what we cannot see, as it is more hard for man to do, so it is more acceptable to God.
—Owen Feltham (1602–1668) English Essayist
Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.
—Benjamin Spock (1903–98) American Pediatrician, Author
The glue that holds all relationships together — including the relationship between the leader and the led is trust, and trust is based on integrity.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.
—George MacDonald (1824–1905) Scottish Novelist, Lecturer, Poet
Liberalism is trust of the people tempered by prudence. Conservatism is distrust of the people tempered by fear.
—William Ewart Gladstone (1809–98) English Liberal Statesman, Prime Minister
Obey your soul, have perfect faith in yourself. Never think of yourself with doubt or distrust, or as one who makes mistakes.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
One should never trust a woman who tells one her real age. A woman who would tell that would tell anything.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright