Don Marquis Quotes

Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty.

Would that the simple maxim, that honesty is the best policy, might be laid to heart; that a sense of the true aim of life might elevate the tone of politics and trade till public and private honor become identical.

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.

There are two good rules which ought to be written on every heart - never to believe anything bad about anybody unless you positively know it to be true; never to tell even that unless you feel that it is absolutely necessary, and that God is listening.

Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life - all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.

It is always the best policy to speak the truth, unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.

Honesty is a foundation, and it's usually a solid foundation. Even if I do get in trouble for what I said, it's something that I can stand on.

I never did anything dishonest.

Above all, I would teach him to tell the truth Truth-telling, I have found, is the key to responsible citizenship. The thousands of criminals I have seen in 40 years of law enforcement have had one thing in common: Every single one was a liar.

I learned one thing in Watergate: I was well-intentioned but rationalized illegal behavior. You cannot live your life other than walking in the truth. Your means are as important as your ends.

For every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth.

In all my public and private acts as your president, I expect to follow my instincts of openness and candor with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy in the end.

I don't keep secrets because I'm no good at them!

Integrity is the lifeblood of democracy. Deceit is a poison in its veins.

You should not do an autobiography if you want to tell the truth. There are a lot of things I know about people. If I can't say something good about a person, I don't want to say anything. And since I don't want to say anything bad, I won't write a book.

By a lie, a man... annihilates his dignity as a man.

I value my reputation. I work hard to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.

Be honest. Be honest with yourself, be honest with, you know, your fellow politicians. This is a rare quality of politicians.

If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place.

I like honesty and fair play.

All my life I have been taught to take the high road and never to dignify salacious or false accusations and I have been taught never, never to lie.

Honesty and integrity are by far the most important assets of an entrepreneur.

One ought to have a good memory when he has told a lie.

There is a time and a place for things. Sometimes one needs to put a filter on oneself. That can be a good thing.

I think I have gone through my entire public career never telling a lie. I have made mistakes but I never knowingly lied.