William Rounseville Alger Quotes

I would rather have honesty and character than prestige and wealth. I can walk and ride the streets of this city, hold my head up, and look all men in the face.

You can be deprived of your money, your job and your home by someone else, but remember that no one can ever take away your honor.

The real ornament of woman is her character, her purity.

But one of the things I learned is that when you fight for something you believe in and you tell the truth and you do your best, you can always hold your head up high and no one can take that away from you.

Nothing profits more than self-esteem, grounded on what is just and right.

He who does not need to lie is proud of not being a liar.

To be without silver is better than to be without honor.

I have nothing left but my integrity.

As long as I can look my family in the face every day, and they know what type of person I am, I'm cool.

If there's one value that is immutable, it's integrity or respect, for others and for yourself.

There is such a thing as honest pride and self-respect.

Truth is an homage that the good man pays to his own dignity.

Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them.

I believe I am an honorable man.

I don't care what anybody says about me as long as it isn't true.

What is left when honor is lost?

Integrity reveals beauty.

You cannot have a proud and chivalrous spirit if your conduct is mean and paltry; for whatever a man's actions are, such must be his spirit.

Life every man holds dear; but the dear man holds honor far more precious dear than life.

Honor's a good brooch to wear in a man's hat at all times.

Better not be at all than not be noble.

By a lie, a man... annihilates his dignity as a man.

Not everyone can see the truth, but he can be it.

Men are not great or small because of their material possessions. They are great or small because of what they are.

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