Political Honesty Quotes

Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people in order to betray them.

I suppose that an honest man shines more in politics than he does elsewhere.

I am one of the few men in public life who doesn't complain much about his treatment as the hands of the press. The press takes me to task every once in a while, but they have always been very kind, not attributing my hypocrisy to bad motives. They have always attributed it to a lack of mental capacity.

You can't adopt politics as a profession and remain honest.

If governments did not mislead their citizens so often, there would be less need for secrecy, and if leaders knew they could not rely on keeping the public in the dark about what they are doing, they would have a powerful incentive to behave better.

If somebody asks me where I stand, I tell them. And that's not a way to get elected, generally. Nobody's going to elect me president of the United States. What I'd like to do is to be able to influence the dialogue. I'm a citizen

When Howard Dean started saying some honest things, they hung him.

Truth telling in politics is the mark of an inexperienced politician.

An honest public servant can't become rich in politics. He can only attain greatness and satisfaction by service.

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.

I am not a politician. A politician is someone who does things to get elected. He's a guy who says things to please the public, that he thinks the public wants to hear, and his story changes with every passing day. I want to be elected, but I am not going to say a damn thing for your benefit, or that person's benefit out there on the street, or anybody's

I think the truth is always interesting, but with politicians, you don't get to see much of that.

For too long, Democrats have been telling people what they want to hear. I'm going to tell you what I believe.

Hillary Clinton believes that it's vital to deceive the people by having one public policy and a totally different policy in private.

The definition of committing a gaff in Washington is telling the truth when most people think that you should not have.

Trust is leveling with people before the election about what you're going to do after the election.

Instead of more talk about salmon and high-speed rails, more criticism of the Supreme Court or more praise for the Soviet's Sputnik mission - President Obama should use his State of the Union Address to tell the American people the truth about the fundamental financial challenges our country faces.

There is nothing more frightening to a political satirist than an honest administration.

Statements of honesty in Washington can only go so far when you are employed.

I am a democrat only on principle, not by instinct, nobody is that. Doubtless some people say they are, but this world is grievously given to lying.

First of all, she Hillary Clinton is going to raise taxes on the middle class. I actually think that's the only truthful thing she's said in about three weeks.

Even the very best newspapers have never learned how to handle public figures who lie with a straight face.

If we have political forces in the Bundestag, and in parts of the coalition, who... say they want to spend money on pensions, not weapons. Then I say, be honest and say you don't want a German army.

Opening up the Capitol dome and giving the public a look at the inner workings of Congress - however messy they may be - certainly won't be pretty. But trust isn't earned by showing off only your Sunday best. The dirty laundry has to be aired, too.

I came into politics because I wished to change things. You can't do that by lying to people; you have to educate, and persuade, and carry them with you - and it's often a long haul.