Dorothy L. Sayers Quotes

Science is as corruptible a human activity as any other.

The scientist only imposes two things, namely truth and sincerity, imposes them upon himself and upon other scientists.

We talk about honesty, but the reality is we have lots of human values, and they are not all compatible. We don't always tell the truth about everything, no matter what the consequences.

All I can hope to teach my son is to tell the truth and fear no man.

Everything can be forgiven in this world, save telling the truth.

I wished to tell the truth, for truth always conveys its own moral to those who are able to receive it.

Politicians, real-estate agents, used-car salesmen, and advertising copy-writers are expected to stretch facts in self-serving directions, but scientists who falsify their results are regarded by their peers as committing an inexcusable crime. Yet the sad fact is that the history of science swarms with cases of outright fakery and instances of scientists who unconsciously distorted their work by seeing it through lenses of passionately held beliefs.

I don't think telling the truth ever gets anyone in trouble in the long run. Maybe the day after, but not in the long run.

Is the Scientific Paper a Fraud?

It is very difficult to tell the truth.

I have said to you to speak the truth is a painful thing. To be forced to tell lies is much worse.

Great learning and superior abilities...will be of little value and small estimation unless virtue, honor, truth, and integrity are added to them.

Scientific truth is too beautiful to be sacrificed for the sake of light entertainment or money. Astrology is an aesthetic affront. It cheapens astronomy, like using Beethoven for commercial jingles.

One of the things I love most about Martin Luther King is that he was willing to sacrifice his popularity in favor of his integrity. He was an honest man, and he would tell the truth.

No doubt those who really founded modern science were usually those whose love of truth exceeded their love of power.

I would rather starve and rot and keep the privilege of speaking the truth as I see it, than of holding all the offices that capital has to give from the presidency down.

Lying is the strongest acknowledgement of the force of truth.

Truth should be the very breath of our life. When once this state in the pilgrim's progress is reached, all other rules of correct living will come without any effort, and obedience to them will be instinctive.

Truth, though, is nothing in the face of self-falsehood, and principles are of no value if the idealist cannot live up to his own standards.

No man should tell a lie unless he is shrewd enough to recognize the time for renouncing it, if and when it comes, and knows how to renounce it gracefully.

Telling a lie is called wrong. Telling the truth is called right. Except when telling the truth is called bad manners and telling a lie is called polite.

What makes a good follower? The single most important characteristic may well be a willingness to tell the truth. In a world of growing complexity leaders are increasingly dependent on their subordinates for good information, whether the leaders want to hear it or not. Followers who tell the truth and leaders who listen to it are an unbeatable combination.

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

The good I stand on is my truth and honesty.

Never tell a lie-except for practice.