Quotes About Accountability

you're doing the same thing I am, only more slowly, and less honestly. You drive a car; you use plastic products; you do whatever the hell you do knowing full well that it's contributing to the end of everyone, and a lot of other animals besides. So don't get all more-life-affirming-than-thou with me, missy, you're on your way out too. In a way, you could see me as he canary down a mine shaft, or maybe synecdoche, the small part representing the whole.

It seems to be that way with most things. No one to do the really disagreeable jobs except oneself.

He, who the sword of heaven will bear Should be as holy as severe; Pattern in himself to know, Grace to stand, and virtue go; More nor less to others paying Than by self offenses weighing. Shame to him whose cruel striking Kills for faults of his own liking!

We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers - but never blame yourself. It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you wanted to change you're the one who has got to change.

I get so tired of moral bookkeeping.

The whole effort for the past one hundred years has been to remove the moral responsibility from the individual and make him blame his own human wickedness on his society, but he helps to make his society, you see, and he will not take his responsibility for his part in it.

I stood there and watched thirty-five children disappear in almost as many different directions and was suddenly horrified by what I'd done. What if someone got lost or hurt? Suppose they didn't come back on time? What would I do then?

Bureaucrats do not, as a whole, like to make decisions. Decisions require a degree of courage and responsibility, qualities in short supply among public servants on both sides of the Great Divide.

If everyone just sweeps outside their door, the whole village will be clean," Merkel said sometimes, quoting Goethe.

always thought killers should be locked away in tiny cells with nothing to do but think about their crimes until they die.

We're the only ones who care now. The likes of you and me, Ono, when we look back over our lives and see they were flawed, we're the only ones who care now.

What kind of god is it, sir, wishes wrong to go forgotten and unpunished?

Y se resumía en lo siguiente: lo estábamos haciendo demasiado tarde. Había habido un tiempo para ello, pero lo habíamos dejado pasar, y había algo de ridículo, e incluso de censurable, en el modo en que ahora concebíamos y planeábamos nuestro futuro.

What kind of god is it, sir, wishes wrongs to go forgotten and unpunished?

És legalább az a kiváltsága megvolt, hogy élete végén elmondhatta: a saját hibáit követte el. (…) Megválasztotta, hogy milyen úton járjon az életben, s kiderült, hogy rosszul választott. Ami viszont engem illet, hát még ezt sem mondhatom el.

I can't even say I made my own mistakes. Really – one has to ask oneself – what dignity is there in that?

Es descabellado, señor. ¿Cómo pueden cerrarse las viejas heridas mientras los gusanos siguen moviéndose con impunidad por ahí?

Once you let a muthafucka slide, they start figure skating." –Source Unknown

I don't forgive him, I said. Hell, no, you don't. And why should you? So he can feel better? Get on with his life? And what's he done to help you get on with yours?

When you accept a leadership role, you take on extra responsibility for your actions toward others.

My past was a private obstacle, not a public excuse.

in some ways I relied on that- someone to keep me thinking, keep me striving to do better, keep me from burying my head and praying it all worked out.

I wouldn't call Gabriel Walsh if I was on fire." She pursed her lips. "No, I might. To sue everyone responsible—from the person who lit the match to those who made my clothes. But I'd wait until the fire was out. Otherwise, he'd just stand there until I was burned enough for a sizable settlement.

She saw Derek and without so much as a hello, leaned to look behind him. Where's Simon? He's— Is he okay? Why isn't he here? She glared up at Derek. Where'd you leave him? Passed out in an alley. Derek frowned in thought. Not sure where, though ... He's kidding, I said as Tori sputtered. We need to get moving. Derek hooked a thumb as Tori while looking at me. She's your responsibility. Excuse me? Tori said. Derek didn't even glance her way. Make sure she keeps up. And shuts up.