W. Somerset Maugham Quotes

I want that every piece of art be honest, never mind what it is about.

Those who would practice magic must be scrupulously honest in their personal lives. In one sense, magic works on the principle that 'it is so because I say it is so.' For words to take on such force, you must be deeply and completely convinced that it is identified with truth as you know it. To a person who practices honesty and keeps commitments, 'As I will, so mote it be' is not just a pretty phrase; it is a statement of fact.

I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being.

I am an honest artist.

Drawing is the honesty of the art. There is no possibility of cheating. It is either good or bad.

My cares and my inquiries are for decency and truth, and in this I am wholly occupied.

A show of a certain amount of honesty is in any profession or business the surest way of growing rich.

It is as bad to clip conscience as to clip coin; it is as bad to give a counterfeit statement as a counterfeit bill.

If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.

In both metaphysics and art, honesty is the best policy. Keep it clean.

It is always easier to deal in truth and honesty and follow these to their legitimate ends, than it is to construct and adjust a false superstructure upon a false base.

Public opinion which, to be sure, can at times be helpful, must never for an instant swerve us from what we know in our heart we are trying to convey. For honesty is the great requisite of art. If we remain honest with ourselves, art, which is always there, never lets us down.

We like people who are honest. Honest in argument, honest with clients, honest with suppliers, honest with the company - and above all, honest with consumers.

Freedom is the right to never have to lie.

Your honesty is not to be based either on religion or policy.Bothyourreligionand policy must be basedon it.

"The way I feel about music -- any song, any style -- is that there is no right and wrong, only true and false. If the music and lyrics are conceived out of honesty and if the production of the song goes along with its original message, then what has been expressed is art, regardless of what anyone's opinion is of it. So things are a lots impler if you just tell the truth.

In a world of lies and liars, an honest work of art is always an act of social responsibility.

The shortest and surest way to live with honor in the world, is to be in reality what we would appear to be, all human virtues increase and strengthen themselves by the practice and experience of them.

I've always been an artist who's about being real and about telling the truth and making music with integrity and talking about something.

I try as much as possible not to utter a single line that I don't believe in.

Lying and art are very allied. But after you lie, you get to the truth.

I'm a person who has always believed that you tell people the truth, and they'll make reasonable decisions. Truth is powerful.

I gotta be able to sleep at night knowing that I'm being honest.

Everyone knows who I am; everyone respects me as a shooter, as an operator, as a soldier... I'm always truthful, I'm always honest, and I'm always trying to do the right thing.

My whole goal is to be honest and sincere with the music I'm making.