Principled Decision Making Quotes

Always do the right thing even when the right thing is the hard thing

Sir, what does it matter whom I serve, so long as I am right?

It is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.

When honor and the Law no longer stand on the same side of the line, how do we choose[?]

Justice lacking passion fails, betrays.

Occasionally, a man must rise above principles.

I have no wish to win an award that would be tainted.

The golden rule is to act fearlessly upon what one believes to be right.

The true democracy, living and growing and inspiring, puts its faith in the people - faith that the people will not simply elect men who will represent their views ably and faithfully, but will also elect men who will exercise their conscientious judgment - faith that the people will not condemn those whose devotion to principle leads them to unpopular courses, but will reward courage, respect honor, and ultimately recognize right.

If it comes down to your ethics vs. a job, choose ethics. You can always find another job.

A gentleman considers what is right; the vulgar consider what will pay.

Take away the ability of an intelligent, principled, hard-working mind to get it wrong, and you take away the whole thing.

Character comes from following our highest sense of right, from trusting ideas without being sure they’ll work.

Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.

He could very likely have appealed for leniency. At least he could have saved his life by agreeing to leave Athens. But had he done this he would not have been Socrates. He valued his conscience--and the truth-- higher than life.

In my heart, I never called one wrong.

Doing the right thing doesn't always bring success. But compromising ethics almost always leads to failure.

ncrementalism is out, and doing deals with people just for power, when our children's futures at stake is not something I will ever do.

There comes a time in your life when you focus solely on what you believe is right, regardless of what everybody else is doing.

Do what is right, not what you think the high headquarters wants or what you think will make you look good.

I have always been determined to never compromise my faith or my principles. I always relied on my God-given talent when I took the field. So the idea of using PED's to enhance my performance was a line I chose not to cross.

There are actually very few US politicians who have integrity and vision.

While values drive behaviors, principles govern consequences.

Sometimes you have to forget your principles and do what’s right.

To say that corrupt means corrupt the ends is to believe in the immaculate conception of ends and principles.