Jesse Helms Quotes

I'm not going to pretend I'm some saint, because I'm not.

I would never take any of my cards off the table.

It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. So to love a man that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak painful truth through loving words, that is friendship.

Be honest about mistakes. Even if you are afraid of what people think.

Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.

Calling oneself a hero after making mistakes shouldn't earn public trust.

I refuse to say things behind people's backs.

I'm no saint. I'm no angel. I never proclaimed to be.

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.

I don't want any title. I just say what I say, and hopefully somebody gets it, man. I'm not perfect, and I'm just here and trying to make a dollar, and being real at the same time, you know?

The public is very forgiving. So we're not trying to obtain some level of perfection that can't be obtained. But if you're straightforward and honest and your constituents trust you, they'll help you get through the times when you fall short.

I want everyone to tell me the truth, even if it costs him his job.

I make mistakes; I'll be the second to admit it.

I'm so not perfect.

Look, I'm not a perfect person. I have my warts. I sometimes say things that get me in trouble. I wear suits that are cheap. But I say what I think and I believe what I say, and I'm willing to say things that are not popular but ordinary people know are right.

I'm not a God, I make mistakes.

I've made mistakes, I've misspoke, I am sure I will again sometime, but that happens, that's part of being human in my book. I'm OK with that. I've never done it maliciously, ever.

Authenticity is the alignment of head, mouth, heart, and feet - thinking, saying, feeling, and doing the same thing - consistently. This builds trust, and followers love leaders they can trust.

The best way of dealing with the press, customers, and critics is to come clean when things go wrong and admit when you make a mistake. We are humans, and no one expects us to be perfect.

Honesty and loyalty are key. If two people can be honest with each other about everything, that's probably the biggest key to success.

I couldn't not be who I am. That bubble eventually bursts down the road. So you just have to be real, and when you goof up, say you goofed up.

I think I've had the opportunity to work for people because I wanted to and because I thought they were good people, and therefore everything I do, I can do with sincerity.

There are two things people in public life don’t like to say. First is ‘I made a mistake’, and second is ‘I don’t know.’

It is imperative to build a contingent of public servants who are politically reliable, professionally competent, and clean and honest, and have a good work style.

Look at our Lord's disciples. One denied Him, one doubted Him, one betrayed Him. If our Lord couldn't have perfection, how are you going to have it in city government?