Quotes About Ethics

Il faut qu'on n'en puisse (dire), ni il est mathématicien, ni prédicateur, ni éloquent mais il est honnête homme. Cette qualité universelle me plaît seule.

Man is neither angel nor devil, and his tragedy is that he who tries too hard to play the first too often ends up as the second.

We do not sustain ourselves in virtue by our own strength, but by the balancing of two opposed vices, just as we remain upright amidst two contrary gales. Remove one of the vices, and we fall into the other.

Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man by sleeping with him. But all the young girls who have not known a man by sleeping with him, keep alive for yourselves. (Numbers 31:17–18)

The Genovese story has been used to highlight the fact that for many it is preferable to avoid controversy than to step forward and attempt to do the right thing.

To live outside the law you must be honest.

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.

They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings steal a little and they throw you in jail. Steal a lot and then they make you king.

Couldn't help but make me feel ashamed to live in a land where justice is a game.

Who am I helping, what am I breaking, what am I giving, what am I taking?

Technology to wipe out truth is now available. Not everybody can afford it but it's available. When the cost comes down, look out!

Well...you know, you can influence all kinds of people, but sometimes it gets in the way -- especially if somebody is accusing you of influencing somebody that you had no interest in influencing in the first place.

I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his [and her] freedom.

In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand At the mongrel dogs who teach Fearing not that I'd become my enemy In the instant that I preach

If love is a sin, then beauty is a crime

Steal a little and they throw you in jail. Steal a lot and they make you king.

Every man's conscience is vile and depraved, you cannot depend on it to be your guide when it's you who must keep it satisfied

What good am I if I know and don't do. If I see and don't say.

Personal honor is imposed from within. The honor code is imposed from without.

He gave a life for a life," Kono said. "There is nothing more honorable." * * *

They're homicide bombers," Eagle said. "I hate when they call them suicide bombers. If they were suicide bombers, they'd go out into the middle of the desert and blow themselves up. Don't take others with you.

Doing what's right isn't always popular and doing what's popular isn't always right.

I think journalism gets measured by the quality of information it presents, not the drama or the pyretechnics associated with us

The important thing is the presidency, Nixon continued. If need be, save the presidency from the President.