Orison Swett Marden Quotes

On the straight and narrow path, there are simply no corners to be cut.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.

Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.

The just man walks in his integrity

A man is not to aim at innocence, any more than he is to aim at hair, but he is to keep it.

If I have one wish which is greater than another, it is, if I had the power, to make men do right; to make them stop their swearing, their lying, their deceiving, to stop trying to injure the innocent, and begin to be honest and upright in all their dealings with one another and honor the name of the Deity.

A man should be upright, not be kept upright.

There is no real excellence in all of this world which can be separated from right living.

Successful and fortunate crime is called virtue.

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure there is one less rascal in the world.

Unfortunately, goodness and honor are rather the exception than the rule among exceptional men, not to speak of geniuses.

Power is not alluring to pure minds.

A conscientious man ought not to regard what may happen to him in this world.

I myself have constantly refused to print anything that might countenance vice or promote immorality, though … I might have gotten much money.

For he who is honest is noble, Whatever his fortunes or birth.

There is no virtue so truly great and godlike as justice.

Worthy of honor is he who does no injustice, and more than twofold honor, if he not only does no injustice himself, but hinders others from doing any.

If they are just, they are better than clever.

Integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences.

Honesty is nothin' compared to decency.

Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no persuasion move thee, to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so shalt thou always live jollity; for a good conscience is a continual Christmas.

ATHENA: You wish to be called righteous rather than act right. [...] I say, wrong must not win by technicalities.

Straight praying is never born of crooked conduct.