Hugh Prather Quotes

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.

Every man should be considered as having a right to the character which he deserves; that is, to be spoken of according to his actions.

I think you have an obligation to be honest.

I've always told the truth. I've often been wrong - but I've never knowingly lied. Not in public life. Because I don't see the need to.

I will govern my life and thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one and read the other, for what does it signify to make anything a secret to my neighbor, when to God, who is the searcher of our hearts, all our privacies are open?

I've tried to do away with lying in my life in the last few years, but it's hard.

Whenever you do a thing, tho' it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you and act accordingly.

If you want to go into the court of world opinion, you had better go in with clean hands.

In public, as well as private life, the only way to prevent being ridiculed or censured, is to avoid all ridiculous or wicked measures, and to pursue such only as are virtuous and worthy. If any man thinks he has been ridiculed, upon any of our public theatres, let him examine his actions he will find the cause, let him alter his conduct he will find a remedy

We ought never to do wrong when anyone is looking.

Be sure to live up to your reputation for honesty and goodness, because many souls who believe you to be honest and good have placed themselves in your hands.

Let our lives be open books for all to study.

Our culture does not teach us this, but what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas. If you cheat in Vegas, it comes right home with you. If you cheat in Vegas, you walk home as a cheater. You lie awake at a night a cheater. You cannot escape it.

Would you want to do business with a person who was 99% honest?

Live never to be ashamed if anything you say or do is published around the world, even if what is said is not true.

I am disappointed that my 25 years in public life have apparently not earned me the benefit of the doubt, but I understand that Senator Mitchell's report has raised many serious questions. I plan to publicly answer all of those questions at the appropriate time in the appropriate way. I only ask that in the meantime people not rush to judgment.

I think credibility, irrespective of what you do, if you are in public life, then it is important.

Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.

I'm a longtime believer in the old adage that sunlight is the best disinfectant, particularly in politics.

Being honest with the public is how they respect you.

I try to live honestly in every aspect of my life, which can make things a bit more complicated, right?

No man should advocate a course in private that he's ashamed to admit in public.

If somebody thinks I have an integrity problem, then the honest thing to do is to tell me what they think it is and let me address it.

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.

You know, when you're in public life, everything you do is out there. But I am proud to stand on my record.