Quotes About Integrity

But Father has also taught him: Treat a man as if he had a fine reputation to protect, and he will usually endeavor to deserve it.

I don't know of a soul who doesn't maintain two separate lists of doctrines - the ones they believe they believe; and the ones that they actually try to live by.

A person is what he says and does; that's how you learn whether his reputation was earned or manufactured.

A good commander, thought Ender, doesn't have to make stupid threats.

If the act is evil, the actor is evil.

You don't know who a person is until you see how he acts when given unexpected power. He hasn't rehearsed for the part. So what you see is what he is.

A man always assumes that others are as virtuous as himself

I would have the taste of poison in my mouth all the days of my life, if I went back home and pretended to be what I was before.

To keep dignity, and give honor when it's due, so that defeat is not disgrace.

I don't care if I pass your test, I don't care if I follow your rules. If you can cheat, so can I. I won't let you beat me unfairly—I'll beat you unfairly first.

I don't care how loyal you think you're going to be Dink. It's not in you. You're a brat and you always will be. So admit what a lousy follower you are and go ahead and LEAD. -Petra

But then, I would rather be mocked for doing a good thing than to be respected, knowing I have done wrong.

He did what he thought was right

If you spend your whole life pretending to be good, then you are indistinguishable from a good person. Relentless hypocrisy eventually becomes the truth.

Treat a man as if he had a fine reputation to protect, and he will usually endeavor to deserve it.

People are never fair, even when they try to be...and few are the ones who try.

He was always just mad enough to take treaties seriously. Honor, you know. I don't have any.

If you can cheat, so can I. I won't let you beat me unfairly - I'll beat you unfairly first.

What was that education? Question everything, but keep your word. Doubt everything, but never give others a reason to doubt you.

Evil isn't best served by equally evil servants.

Better to have the trust of the people than their respect. With trust, their respect could be earned later; without it, respect could never be deserved, and so to have it would be like poison.

How do men become manly, if not by putting it on as an act until it becomes habit and then, finally, their character?

That was the difference between her and the idiots of the world. They were all trying to look smart and keep their social standing. Whereas Valentine didn't care about social standing, she cared about getting it right. Getting the truth.

Fairness is a wonderful attribute, Major Anderson. It has nothing to do with war.