Quotes about Principle
The preacher who casts a vote for conscience' sake, runs the risk of starving.
— Mark Twain
Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economize it.
— Mark Twain
Why shouldn't we be honest and honorable, and lie every time we get a chance? That is to say, why shouldn't we be consistent, and either lie all the time or not at all?
— Mark Twain
Do right and you will be conspicuous.
— Mark Twain
On some positions, cowardice asks the question, is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? Conscience asks the question, is it right? There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
The first principle of value that we need to rediscover is this: that all reality hinges on moral foundations. In other words, that this is a moral universe, and that there are moral laws of the universe just as abiding as the physical laws. (from Rediscovering Lost Values)
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right....
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, "Is it safe?" Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?" And Vanity comes along and asks the question, "Is it popular?" But Conscience asks the question, "Is it right?"... The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience, but where he stands in moments of challenge, moments of great crisis and controversy.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
When you are right, you cannot be too radical; When you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But, conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but one must take it because one's conscience tells one that it is right
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.