Noah Webster Quotes

The superior man does not mind being in office; all he minds about is whether he has qualities that entitle him to office. He does not mind failing to get recognition; he is too busy doing the things that entitle him to recognition.

Whatever you think of Romney and his politics, as a human being there's none better. As a man of integrity, man of character, there's none better.

I thank God that I left office the same way I came in: with integrity.

It is true that integrity alone won't make you a leader, but without integrity you will never be one.

I've had opportunities before to run for office - the Republicans recruited me when I was surgeon general, to run for Congress, to run against Gov. Napolitano. But I didn't feel it was my calling... I felt, 'Well, I'm flattered, but I really would rather stay and be the doctor of the nation and stay as surgeon general.'

Those who wish well to the State ought to choose to places of trust men of inward principle, justified by exemplary conversation.

The trust that goes with public service is a heavy burden on those who would lead us.

While not all politicians are statesmen, all statesmen are politicians.

I am the only public servant and the only Mexican President ever who has made his finances public from before, during, and after public service.

People hold elected officials to a higher ethical standard than most others.

An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere.

As the leaders of this great country, I urge my fellow colleagues in the House, governors, and presidential candidates alike to hold ourselves up to a higher standard.

I am mindful of my responsibilities as state treasurer, and I will not shirk those responsibilities.

I see myself a humble man, and I tell you I have no ambitions to be president.

Great leaders have no need for reputation. Reputation is what you are in public. Character is who you are in private.

Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership. Always keep your word.

The best state is that in which bad men are not allowed to hold office, and good men are not allowed to refuse office.

Leaders must not be naive. I used to say, "Liars shouldn't lie." What a sad waste of words that is! I found out liars are supposed to lie. That's why we call them liars - they lie! What else would you expect them to do?

In order to be a leader a man must have followers. And to have followers, a man must have their confidence. Hence, the supreme quality for a leader is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office. If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.

Integrity is honesty carried through the fibres of the being and the whole mind, into thought as well as action so that the person is complete in honesty. That kind of integrity I put above all else as an essential to leadership.

I do not understand why any poet or writer would run for office; that's a different sense of who you are. I'm just a poet. I am as truthful as I can be. That makes me an artist. I heed the people; I do not lead the people.

An efficient and valuable man does what he can, whether the community pay him for it or not. The inefficient offer their inefficiency to the highest bidder, and are forever expecting to be put into office. One would suppose that they were rarely disappointed.

Leadership can be defined in one word - honesty. You must be honest with the players and honest with yourself.

In a free government the demand for moral qualities should be made superior to that of talents.

Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honour clear; Who broke no promise, serv'd no private end, Who gain'd no title, and who lost no friend.