Dorothy L. Sayers Quotes

Ethics to me is very important.

I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest good faith; having never believed there was one code of morality for a public, and another for a private man.

We must have a clean role model at the top. Clearly this has not been the case.

Those who have the most power - whether famous TV anchors, rich Hollywood moguls, judges, Members of Congress, or the president of the United States - must decide how to exert that power: for corruption or for good.

The law is a crude machine at best, and only spits out something approaching justice of its attendants are committed to justice. As lawyering has become less about doing right and more about doing what you can get away with, our standards of acceptable shenanigans-as-usual seem to be in a free fall.

O who is more to blame: He who sins for pay - Or he who pays for sin?

A man can give up a right, but he may not give up a duty without being guilty of a grave dereliction.

Speak only that which will bring you honor.

That is one of the Law's purposes, of course: to test the qualities of those who choose to employ it.

Solon being asked, namely, what city was best to live in. That city, he replied, in which those who are not wronged, no less than those who are wronged, exert themselves to punish the wrongdoers.

Life has no meaning except in terms of responsibility.

We've placed a lot of emphasis in this country on the idea of people's rights. That's how it should be, but it makes no sense to talk about rights without also talking about responsibilities.

Wouldst thou shut up the avenues of ill, Pay every debt as if God wrote the bill.

Experience shows us Wealth unchaperoned by Virtue is never an innocuous neighbor.

Knowledge is power, and for each level of knowledge, you are held responsible for how you use it.

It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice

Gratitude is a duty none can be excused from, because it is always at our own disposal.

You shouldn't reward me for endangering your life, you know. Think of the precedent you're setting.

Badness is only spoiled goodness.

Condemn the fault and not the actor of it?

Charity is an eternal debt and without limit.

We know the things that are not good and are right. Those things that we know are wrong, we've got to fix them.

Religion is not in fault.

Use well thy freedom.