James Otis Quotes

The true measure of a man is what he would do if he knew he would never be caught.

A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.

And, if there was any responsibility in refusing to obey, he was willing to accept it.

My prison shall be my grave before I will budge a jot; for I owe my conscience to no mortal man.

Nothing deters a good man from what honor requires of him

Conscience is the root of all true courage.

It takes courage to have a conscience when you seem to see others getting something tangible out of not bothering to struggle with the morality of a situation. It gets frustrating and demoralizing. This is precisely where character comes in. All throughout history special people have felt compelled to do what they objectively saw as right and good - even in the face of humiliation or rejection or expulsion or torture or death. That is because they believed that certain ideas were more important than individual well-being.

Action itself, so long as I am convinced that it is right action, gives me satisfaction.

Many a man will have the courage to die gallantly, but will not have the courage to say, or even to think, that the cause for which he is asked to die is an unworthy one.

I want it understood that all these men fought for principle, not for plunder, and that they were true-hearted, honorable soldiers, fighting for what they esteemed was a righteous cause.

Fidelity to conscience is inconsistent with retiring modesty. If it be so, let the modesty succumb. It can be only a false modesty which can be thus endangered.

Without a sign, his sword the brave man draws, and asks no omen, but his country's cause.

There is no better test of character than when you're tossed into crisis. That's when we see one's true colors shine through. So I try my best to make my characters personally involved in the plot, in a way that stresses them and tests them.

Fairest and dearest, your wrath and anger are more heavy than I can bear; but learn that I cannot tell what you wish me to say without sinning against my honour too grievously.

The treason of which I stand convicted loses all its guilt, has been sanctified as a duty, and will be ennobled as a sacrifice.

I would rather die than do something which I know to be a sin, or to be against God's will.

I'd rather betray the world than let the world betray me.

The difference between a moral man and a man of honor is that the latter regrets a discreditable act, even when it has worked and he has not been caught.

If I wanted to do wrong, I could not.

I just felt that 'Golden Balls' was the right thing to do. I didn't care if people thought I was a failure.

I would rather be beaten, and be a man, than to be elected and be a little puppy dog.

For the first time in my life, I put my body and reputation on the line to stand up for my beliefs and do the right thing. I hope I've encouraged other people to do the same.

Values are principles and ideas that bring meaning to the seemingly mundane experience of life. A meaningful life that ultimately brings happiness and pride requires you to respond to temptations as well as challenges with honor, dignity, and courage.

Any person of honor chooses rather to lose his honor than to lose his conscience.

It is far more important to me to preserve an unblemished conscience than to compass any object however great.