Janet Reno Quotes

That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.

You have to be able to wake up in the morning and say, 'I've been true.'

Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.

Upon common theaters … the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own approbation. But upon the stage of life, while conscience claps, let the world hiss! …. If conscience disapproves, the loudest applause of the world are of little value.

Stay true to your integrity, and if you're doing something that you feel like doesn't represent your integrity, speak up. You have to say that. If you're doing something that doesn't make you feel good, you probably shouldn't be doing it.

I appreciate someone who stands out and stands up for what he believes in, because that's what I'm trying to do.

You can't let challenges argue you out of doing what you know is the right thing.

I stand up for what I believe. I don't know if it's always paid off for me, because I've been ridiculed and humiliated.

There comes a time when you have to stand up and be counted.

Stand up for what you know is right.

I do what I think is right.

You have to do what you believe in.

One of my proudest moments is I didn't sell my soul for the sake of popularity.

The stronger you stand on your principles, the easier it is to fight. The first time, it's tough, but the second time, it's always easier. You just have to push for your rights.

A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.

I think anyone who doesn't say that they'd like people to think that they're doing the right thing is wrong. I mean, I'd like it to be that way, but I've never allowed it to influence my actions.

Just because people are in authority, if it doesn't seem right, don't do it. If it violates your own principles, don't do it.

I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.

Everybody, even me, sometimes had to compromise on something, doing things we know to be wrong, and this happens doing whatever job in the world. But a singer must have the courage of saying no.

I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out.

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.

There are things you stand up for because it's right.

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

Never, for the sake of peace and quiet, deny your convictions.

Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right.