Ralph Waldo Emerson Quotes

To have done no man a wrong...to walk and live, unseduced, within arm's length of what is not your own, with nothing between your desire and its gratification but the invisible law of rectitude-this is to be a man.

The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be, all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.

Respect for self is the beginning of cultivating virtue in men and women.

The virtuous will be sure to speak uprightly; but those whose speech is upright may not be virtuous.

Honesty is a selfish virtue. Yes I am honest enough.

Integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences.

Like all virtuous people he imagines he must speak the truth.

A good man will not lie, although it be for his profit.

But thou, my son, study to make prevail One colour in thy life, the hue of truth.

True education seeks to make men and women not only good mathematicians, proficient linguists, profound scientists, or brilliant literary lights, but also honest men and women with virtue, temperance, and brotherly love.

I like to live righteous. And I just want everyone to know I'm not trying to get out of anything.

Character must be kept bright as well as clean.

It would be an unspeakable advantage, both to the public and private, if men would consider that great truth, that no man is wise or safe but he that is honest.

It is a fair adornment of a man and a great convenience both to himself and to all those with whom he converses and deals, to act uprightly, uniformly, and consistently. The practice of piety frees a man from interior distraction and from irresolution in his mind, from duplicity or inconstancy in his character, and from confusion in his proceedings, and consequently securing for others freedom from deception and disappointment in their transactions with him.

For he who is honest is noble, Whatever his fortunes or birth.

It is not enough merely possess virtue, as if it were an art; it should be practiced.

There is no greater virtue than honesty.

That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.

It is not right or manly to lie even about Satan.

Integrity is important in building relationships. And is the foundation upon which many other qualities for success are built, such as respect, dignity, and trust.

A man may be very sincere in good principles, without having good practice.

What is the real relation between happiness and goodness? It is only within a few generations that men have found courage to say that there is none.

Where is there dignity unless there is honesty?

Honesty is nothin' compared to decency.