Thomas E. Donilon Quotes

It is always important that we have transparency, that we have shareholder protection. Then again, I think it is important that there are not so many regulations that management can't make a decision without asking a lawyer whether he can do it.

You have more independent eyes scrutinizing the decision-making and financial statements of companies.

I ran the wrong kind of business, but I did it with integrity.

I take work very seriously and telling the truth in my job and professionalism.

The time is coming when all businesses will have to be done with glass pockets.

I have always felt that public, commercial and community organisations should be as open as possible about their affairs. They need to be accountable to their owners, their customers, their members and communities and other interest groups.

The public character of every public servant is legitimate subject of discussion, and his fitness or unfitness for office may be fairly canvassed by any person.

I undertake that, in the exercise of my functions of that office I will have regard to any guidance with respect to ethical standards issued by the secretary of state under Section 66 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999.

A business of high principle generates greater drive and effectiveness because people know that they can do the right thing decisively and with confidence.

I am disappointed that my 25 years in public life have apparently not earned me the benefit of the doubt, but I understand that Senator Mitchell's report has raised many serious questions. I plan to publicly answer all of those questions at the appropriate time in the appropriate way. I only ask that in the meantime people not rush to judgment.

We've created a tenfold core value protocol to make sure that we don't fall into an 'empire' attitude.

I'm going to go after crime and corruption wherever it is. But I did focus particularly on the need to restore public confidence in essential institutions of both the public and private sector.

If it stands the test of public scrutiny, do it... if it doesn't stand the test of public scrutiny then don't do it.

Ethics or simple honesty is the building blocks upon which our whole society is based, and business is a part of our society, and it's integral to the practice of being able to conduct business, that you have a set of honest standards.

Excellent, there's nothing quite like a blunt object to reinforce proper administration ethics.

History has shown that one cannot legislate a culture of integrity. And yet, one of the paramount responsibilities and challenges of corporate leadership is to ensure such a culture.

A local company has more accountability.

Only the corporation that shirks from the light would have anything to fear from government. About the welfare of such corporations we need not be over-sensitive.

We have to raise the bar on corporate governance. Shareholders want ethical behavior and honesty.

When I talk to young people about entering government, I tell them, “Now think of the worst thing you’ve ever done in your life. Don’t tell me what it is. Now think about having it on the 10 o’clock news.”

We mean to make little business big, and all business honest, instead of striving to make Big Business little, and yet letting it remain dishonest.

It is very unfair to expect a politician to live in private up to the statements he makes in public.

I hope we’re on the road to more truth-telling to investors.

We've done all the work that needs to be done on the inside to make sure there's no malfeasance inside Chrysler.

I do take pride in saying that in spite of being in public life for so long, there is not a single case against me, not even for wrongly parking a scooter or driving on the wrong side.