Patti Smith Quotes

I find it quite unusual for people to criticise me for doing what I consider to be my duty.

Self-respecting men and women think about the consequences of their actions-and are willing to take responsibility for them.

I have always tried my best to do what I thought was the right thing at the time.

Your actions, and your action alone, determines your worth.

Self-respect and prosperity are the most effective guardian of morals.

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so is dearly purchased at a sacrifice.

You have to make your choices however you see fit and just keep your integrity as best you can.

I have passed on a lot of things that would have been extremely lucrative, because they were nothing else.

In any walk of life, you can choose to do the right thing.

It's very hard to live with yourself if you don't stick with your moral code.

There can be no question of holding forth on ethics. I have seen people behave badly with great morality and I note every day that integrity has no need of rules

My honor is dearer to me than my life.

There's more than one way to get to the goal that you want to get to, but once you compromise your own principles, then you're lost. You're really lost.

I still had some honor... I still have some now.

Every night I go over what I did in the day, in ethical or moral terms. Have I treated people properly? Did I tell the truth?

My character has always been important to me. That was the one thing that I knew, no matter what, I had to hold that strong.

You figure out what your standards are, and I think that's important.

A clear conscience is a sure card.

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.

It would be dangerous territory if I wasn't practising what I preach which is to always accept responsibility, always accept the consequences of your actions.

It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.

Let us be tried by our actions.

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.

I may have hurt some people along the way, but I would like to be seen as somebody who has done his best to do the right thing for any situation and not compromised.

Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.