John N. Mitchell Quotes

I learned one thing in Watergate: I was well-intentioned but rationalized illegal behavior. You cannot live your life other than walking in the truth. Your means are as important as your ends.

While I have made errors that I deeply regret, I have never, ever done so with the intent of subverting the law or of benefiting myself.

I may have hurt some people along the way, but I would like to be seen as somebody who has done his best to do the right thing for any situation and not compromised.

The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.

Actions will be judged according to intentions.

I try and do the right things most of the time and let the chips fall where they may.

I wouldn't be doing my job, or holding myself to that standard that I see fit, if I just shut my mouth and played the game.

Every night I go over what I did in the day, in ethical or moral terms. Have I treated people properly? Did I tell the truth?

There comes a time when you have to stand up and be counted.

It would be dangerous territory if I wasn't practising what I preach which is to always accept responsibility, always accept the consequences of your actions.

It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.

No man should advocate a course in private that he's ashamed to admit in public.

I like to live righteous. And I just want everyone to know I'm not trying to get out of anything.

People can say or think whatever they want... so in my reality, it's kind of irrelevant. I'm always the kind of person that does the right thing and keeps my side of the street clean.

I am always prepared to do the right thing regardless of what other people think.

It is better to use fair means and fail, than foul and conquer.

I have always tried my best to do what I thought was the right thing at the time.

Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.

I ask you to accept one thing. Hand on heart, I did what I thought was right. I may have been wrong. That's your call

In the absence of their superior's adherence to the law, honorable men either speak up or get out

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

Principle is ever my motto, not expediency.

Whenever you do a thing, tho' it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you and act accordingly.

My philosophy is different than most of the people up here. I think if you do the right thing and you lose, you still did the right thing. I think if you do less than the right thing and win, it’s morally reprehensible.

I have to do what's right.