Mark Goulston Quotes

Leadership is about doing what you know is right - even when a growing din of voices around you is trying to convince you to accept what you know to be wrong.

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.

Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.

In my presidency I've been guided by what's right, not what's popular.

I'm always inspired by people who choose to do what is right, not what is easy.

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

There are things you stand up for because it's right.

Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because it is right.

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

Moral courage is the highest expression of humanity.

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.

Think first of the action that is right to take, think later about coping with one's fears.

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

Stand up for what you know is right.

I stand up for the things I believe in.

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

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

But our leaders of today have decided it's more important to be popular, to say and do what's easy, and say yes rather than to say no, when no is what is required.

Never compromise your principles, even if it leads to difficulties in the short term.

Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one.

Start with what is right rather than what is acceptable.

I think of my films as not necessarily political but more moral. Between my father, my stepfather, and my mother - they all felt pretty passionately about the importance of standing up and doing the right thing, and none of them were suck-ups. What motivates me is usually abuse of power.

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage, or of principle.

The world is full of men who think and teach what is right. But as soon as they are called upon to act, they are assailed by doubts and fears.

There are a lot of smart people in politics and government, but character matters ... it is terribly important that the two be melded.