Quotes About Ethics

There is no nonempirical knowledge, especially no theological or ethical knowledge. Science and science alone carries authority in culture because the alleged possession of knowledge gives people authority, and science and science alone is perceived to have knowledge. Outside science — especially in theological, ethical, or political discussions — the makeup man is more important than the speech-writer (feeling and image are more important than reason, knowledge, and truth).

Might — it is wrongly believed — makes right.

Satan uses any means, ethical or unethical, to distract us from trusting in God, drawing us away to trust in ourselves by moving us into fear, into anger, into pride.

My mother and the men believed that being a good man is an art, and being a bad man is a tragedy, for the world as much as for those who depend on the tragic man in question.

They do not put erasers on guns.

It is a doctrine worthy only of a swine to suppose that life has…no higher end than pleasure – no better and nobler object of desire and pursuit.

No god should ever be invoked to inflict harm.

Well, I think the great tragedy in American politics is what is legal, not what is illegal.

The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.

Every time I stole a dollar I knew I was breaking a law and working a hardship on the loser. Yet for years I kept on doing it. I wonder how many of us quit wronging others for the best reason of all — because it is wrong, and we know it.

I say they had character because, while they did wrong things, they always tried to do them in the right way and at the right time.

That's the difference between good military commanders and good politicians, John Geary. You've shown me that a good military commander spends the lives of their people reluctantly and with regret, but does spend them when necessary. The good politician does the same thing with principles. There aren't any fine burials for sacrificed principles, though.

The leaders have to be worthy, have to avoid the temptations of power, have to be honest even when the people don't want honesty.

The measure of who you are," Mari had told her, "is how well you treat people you don't have to treat well.

But people can hurt other people or they can help other people, and I don't want to be someone who hurts.

Honor isn't about how others treat you. Honor is about how you treat others. The only way to gain true honor is to respect and honor other people. The only true way to defend your own honor is to defend the rights and persons of other people. Treat others as you would wish to be treated.

I'm not worth millions of lives, Jason." "You are to me! And…and to your mom and dad!" Kira raised her head up enough to turn it to look at him. "Jason, my mother always says that no one counts for more than anyone else, and my father says that every person is a reality, something special and unique that helps form the world we think we see around us. I can't believe I matter more than so many other people.

When you stand for something and do a remarkable job of

There was a time in this country when you'd be considered a jerk if you passed by somebody in need. Now you're a fool for helping. -Mike McIntyre

You show me a member of Congress who's part of the appropriations process and I'll show you a wife, child, or brother-in-law with a company that benefits from federal dollars.

Kill one man, and you are a murderer. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill them all, and you are a god.

philosophy class while in college in Boston were the words of French biologist Jean Rostand: Kill one man, and you are a murderer. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill them all, and you are a god.

French biologist Jean Rostand: Kill one man, and you are a murderer. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill them all, and you are a god.

They hardly noticed when a former president received $500,000 for a 2010 speech at the Renaissance Capital Bank in Moscow when his wife was serving as secretary of state.