Richard Edelman Quotes

I find it so astonishing how poorly a lot of politicians handle negative whatever in the press. You have to just get it all out there. You have to be totally, uncomfortably honest.

If I say one thing to the UFC, I say it in an interview. I don't have conflicting stories.

I never did anything dishonest.

My view is different. Public relations are a key component of any operation in this day of instant communications and rightly inquisitive citizens.

No matter what you do, be honest. That sticks out in Washington.

When I became press secretary my father sent me a telegram and said, "Tell the truth if you can and if you can't tell the truth, don't tell a lie." That became very difficult to do.

I was instructed let’s put out press releases touting advances and let’s minimize problems because we want the Department of Home Security to be a good news story…. But you have to tell the truth when you are in a job like this.

Ninety-nine percent of the time, if you're straight with the press, they'll be straight with you.

In 1977, when I became Speaker, I started meeting with TV reporters each morning when I arrived at work. Later in the morning, I would hold a news conference before the House opened. I always told the truth and almost never answered with 'no comment.'

It matters to people that the president tell them the truth.

Transparency is so important in business.

Be as transparent as you can in your trade. The big thing in life is trust.

Rules for a White House Spokesman: No. 1 is always tell the truth. I've got only one currency, that's the truth. There are 10,000 ways to say "no comment," and I've used 9,999 of them. The second rule is don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." You may look dumb, but if you don't know you can't give them hot air because it always shows on your face.

I believe that if corporate America expects consumer confidence to be restored, they must first be honest with us.

One thing I have always promised is to be open and transparent and to treat employees and partners with respect and integrity.

I'm just in an unfortunate business where if you ask me a question I have to answer it honestly and if I don't answer it truthfully then I'm not respected.

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

In this digital age, there is no place to hide behind public relations people. This digital age requires leaders to be visible and authentic and to be able to communicate the decisions they've made and why they've made them, to be able to acknowledge when they've made a mistake and to move forward, to engage in the debate.

Honesty has always been an integral part of my operation, really.

For every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth.

I think people are distrustful of politicians and are looking for someone who is telling the truth with no hidden agenda.

Integrity is the lifeblood of democracy. Deceit is a poison in its veins.

I have a rule on my team: when we talk to one another, we look each other right in the eye, because I think it's tough to lie to somebody. You give respect to somebody.

Be honest. Be honest with yourself, be honest with, you know, your fellow politicians. This is a rare quality of politicians.

I like honesty and fair play.