Pete Hoekstra Quotes

I'm leery of legislative solutions to what is morality.

In any society that is governed by the rule of law, some form of morality is always imposed. It's inescapable.

I feel like I have to be responsible for what I'm participating in or putting out into the world.

From those to whom much is given, much is expected. I have been given much - the love of my family, the faith and trust of the people of New York, and the chance to lead this state. I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me.

One regret I have is that I did not learn more about what was happening very early, so that I could have tried to stop people from engaging in illegal activities.

Wrong is for other people.

There's no excuse for breaking the law.

We are a nation of laws, and breaking those laws have consequences.

A competent knowledge of the laws of that society in which we live, is the proper accomplishment of every gentleman and scholar

There's a gigantic gray area between good moral behavior and outright felonious activities. I call that the Weasel Zone and it's where most of life happens.

Laws can embody standards; governments can enforce laws—but the final task is not a task for government. It is a task for each and every one of us. Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted—when we tolerate what we know to be wrong—when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy, or too frightened—when we fail to speak up and speak out—we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice.

Those who challenge the law in one or another of its aspects weaken the whole legal structure of society. For one man to disobey a law he does not like is to invite others to disobey another law which he may regard as indispensable to his own livelihood - or life.

In infamy, it is wisely provided that he who stands highest in the ranks of society has the heaviest load to sustain.

I have huge respect for whistle-blowers, people who stand up against their bosses and losing their careers, just for truth and justice.

Your character is always right. No real person thinks they're being stupid or misguided or bigoted or evil or just plain wrong - so your characters can't, either.

Everyone has to have a sense of duty. A duty to society, to their family. I mean, you name it.

My perspective is that, when you're a kid, if your audience is a group of children or teenagers, you do have some level of social responsibility. I feel that.

When you see corruption, when you see injustice, you speak up. You don't just shut up and say it's none of my business.

Granting amnesty to those who willfully broke the law makes a mockery of our legal system and encourages even more lawlessness - potentially more severe crimes than entering the U.S. illegally.

Enlightened people seldom or never possess a sense of responsibility.

No leader will fight for values, for principles, if their government is a value-free vacuum. Moral relativism is morally wrong.

Leaders, whether in the public or the private sphere, must understand the responsibilities that come with their role. They are the most visible standard-bearers of their organizations. Holding them accountable to this responsibility protects the promise of our organizations and our communities.

Our interest isn't in just serving the guests and hosts. We need to serve the entire community. If that means we have to take action against the host, we will.

Whistleblowers play a vital role in ensuring that the federal government is accountable to the people it serves.

Every villain has their belief system that makes perfect sense to them.