Thomas Jefferson Quotes

Important principles may and must be inflexible.

Let no one charge me with ever having abused or encouraged weakness or surrendered on matters of principle. But I have said, as I say again, that every trifle must not be dignified into a principle.

One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.

Be thou incapable of change in that which is right, and men will rely upon thee. Establish unto thyself principles of action; and see that thou ever act according to them. First know that thy principles are just, and then be thou.

Principle is ever my motto, not expediency.

One of the highest qualities of all true leadership is a high standard of courage. … There has never been time in the Church when its leaders were not required to be courageous men; not alone courageous in the sense that they were able to meet physical dangers, but also in the sense that they were steadfast and true to a clear and upright conviction.

I'm going to stay true. I'm going to stay true to my values.

When I say something, I generally stick to it, no matter what it is in life.

I have my values and I always stick with them.

If there's a principle really worth sticking up for, I'll go the whole way.

My mum's got morals and principles, and I've been brought up with those ideas and beliefs.

Integrity is the foundation upon which all other values are built.

If you live what you believe, you will always have the respect of others.

It is almost impossible to imagine that any one could be so insensible to the high morality of Mr. Mill's character as to suggest to him any course of conduct that was not entirely upright and consistent.

I've always said there is a boulevard that exists between compromising your principles and getting everything you want. Now, we should never compromise our principles. And I never have. Those are the things that people vote for you on, that's the core of who you are. But there's always a boulevard between that and getting everything you want.

True freedom is where an individual's thoughts and actions are in alignment with that which is true, correct, and of honor - no matter the personal price.

I don't like politicians who vacillate.

To live outside the law, you must be honest.

My dad's era believed that there was something noble in being a good guy - the kind of guy that lived straight and narrow, told the truth, and stood up for what he believed was right.

I don't think that has to be our choice... This party was born in principle. This party will die if it doesn't stand by its decision of principle.

You can't have integrity for breakfast, but try and keep it because it is perhaps the single most important word that defines not just writers but all human beings.

Think 100 times before you take a decision, But once that decision is taken, stand by it as one man.

It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.

I love the idea of rectitude.

I am careful about my conduct because I know this cause requires clean men.