If my church attempted to influence me in a way which was improper or which affected adversely my responsibilities as a public servant sworn to uphold the Constitution, then I would reply to them that this was an improper action on their part. It was one to which I could not subscribe.
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.
It's always the good men who do the most harm in the world.
Those who do not confront evil resent those who do.
That was the tragedy. Not that one man had the courage to be evil. But that millions had not the courage to be good.
There is no such thing as duty. If you know that a thing is right, you want to do it. If you don't want to do it - it isn't right. If it's right and you don't want to do it - you don't know what right is and you're not a man.
I'm for moral blackmail when it comes to putting away child molesters.
Civil disobedience becomes a sacred duty when the state has become lawless or corrupt. And a citizen who barters with such a state shares in its corruption and lawlessness.
It was fear that was then making you a good citizen, which is never a lasting teacher of duty.
Morality depends on individual freedom, and it requires some sense to know where to draw the line.
Beneficence is a duty; and he who frequently practices it, and sees his benevolent intentions realized comes, at length, really to love him to whom he has done good.
Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.
One of the most destructive anti-concepts in the history of moral philosophy is the term 'duty.
After the years of me trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself, I knew I had to go back and fix some things. I can't just be super-rich or whatever and not do the right thing.
The burning conviction that we have a holy duty toward others is often a way of attaching our drowning selves to a passing raft.
If the past is not to bind us, where can duty lie? We should have no law but the inclination of the moment.
To live a life of honesty and integrity is a responsibility of every decent person.
In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.
When a man lies he murders some part of the world These are the pale deaths which men miscall their lives All this i cannot bear to witness any longer Cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home.
Civil disobedience becomes a sacred duty when the state becomes lawless or corrupt.
The choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.
A man can give up a right, but he may not give up a duty without being guilty of a grave dereliction.
Remember that this greatness was won by men with courage, with knowledge of their duty, and with a sense of honor in action.
I did only what my duty demanded. I could have taken no other course without dishonor.
I cannot and will not violate my duty to protect confidential communications with the president.
