Quotes About Principle

That few in public affairs act from a meer view of the good of their country, whatever they may pretend; and, tho' their actings bring real good to their country, yet men primarily considered that their own and their country's interest was united, and did not act from a principle of benevolence. "That fewer still, in public affairs, act with a view to the good of mankind.

convinc'd that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life;

Gov'r. Thomas was so pleas'd with the construction of this stove, as described in it, that he offered to give me a patent for the sole vending of them for a term of years; but I declin'd it from a principle which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.

I had formerly been a great lover of fish, and, when this came hot out of the frying-pan, it smelt admirably well. I balanc'd some time between principle and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I, "If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you.

though I pleaded the usefulness of the work, mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.

I will freely spend nineteen shillings in the pound to defend my right of giving or refusing the other shilling.

I declin'd it from a principle which has ever weighed with me on such occasions, viz., That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.

those who trade freedom for safety deserve neither

History has shown us time and again that what is right is not what is popular.

Like millions of parents, I chose to send my children to a religious school that shares my belief system, which is central to my life. I objected to changes in the school that, in my opinion, did not reflect that belief system.

I'm an independent conservative. And what I mean by that - when I think we're right, I'm with us all the way, and I am a conservative. And I think my record reflects that.

In politics, sometimes, you dig your heels in and draw a line in the sand and refuse to compromise.

As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close to my heart the principled stand of his cousin, Cassius Clay, who refused to forsake the life of any human, simply to find agreement.

I am, on principle, opposed to war and in favor of peace because I regard peace as a positive good and war as a positive evil.

I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose, and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard.

There can be no compromise regarding corruption.

I vote my conscience first and my constituents next, regardless of the direction of our leadership.

There's always going to be a gap between what you believe and what you actually do, regardless of what your background is.

The bedrock principle of separation of powers ought to be upheld regardless of the (D) or (R) that rests behind a given president's name.

What I like to call 'journalism of depth' is the media that regards the collective conscience of the masses to be its point of departure. It is the media that believes, as a matter of principle, in the potential capabilities of the people and respects their choices.

I will never regret not denouncing apartheid.

I do not regret the part I have taken in a cause so just and interesting to mankind.

Never quit a job as a matter of principle. You'll always regret it.

I don't want to regret doing something that I don't believe in.