Olga Tokarczuk Quotes

It seems entirely possible to me that horrible things can be going on without us becoming horrible people.

It takes guts to realize you screwed up and to then come clean without any excuses.

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.

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

I can tell you character traits I admire and work to develop in myself - perseverance, self-discipline, courage to stand up for what is right even when it is against one's friends or one's self.

Usually people are ashamed when they do something wrong. People love to live in the darkness... I live in the light. I didn't do anything wrong by saving human life.

There is a value in taking a stand whether or not anybody may be noticing it and whether or not it is a risky thing to do.

How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.

Given the fact that I have a family and responsibilities, it's the mark of a man to find the courage to do what is right in the face of oppressive evil.

The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.

Character is what you have left when you've lost everything you can lose.

I'm an honorable human being. I know what to do and what not to do, and if I'm wrong, I always apologize. I'm a big enough man to do that.

Truth is the most bitter to accept, swallow and digest it. The moment you speak truth, you lose your popularity. But I don't care.

Defending the truth is not something one does out of a sense of duty or to allay guilt complexes, but is a reward in itself.

I try to be as honest about what I see and to speak rather than be silent, especially if it means I can save lives, or serve humanity.

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.

I, I am my own woman. I have not been, quote, 'bred' to look the other way. I look at that man back there in the green room straight on, eyes wide open, and I look at him with an open heart.

My greatest fear has always been that I would be afraid - afraid physically or mentally or morally and allow myself to be influenced by fear instead of by my honest convictions.

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 don't fear being outspoken. The only thing I fear is losing my sense of integrity or losing sight of the values on which I guide my life. So I don't think it's particularly brave or unusual for me to speak out.

Know what's important and what isn't. Have the wisdom to know the right thing to do, the integrity to do it, the character to stand up to those who don't, and the courage to stop those who won't.

Deciding to be honest was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, and also the most important.

My father always told me to be myself and say what you think is the right thing; sometimes you pay the consequences, but it means tomorrow will be a happy day for you.

Standing up for what you believe in and being honest, telling the truth are all very liberating things.

I think life would be a lot easier if people were able to stand in their mistakes and not backtrack. If you did something wrong, own it. Like, hold your own.