Quotes about Candor

My greatest political asset, which professional politicians fear, is my mouth, out of which come all kinds of things one shouldn't always discuss for reasons of political expediency.

What is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means?

On an occasion of this kind it becomes more than a moral duty to speak one's mind. It becomes a pleasure.

But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

ADMIT YOUR WEAKNESSES AND LIMITATIONS

It was astounding how much more comfortable I felt just being honest. So I kept going.

The most any one can do is to confess as candidly as he can the grounds for the faith that is in him, and leave his example to work on others as it may.

God knows we are subtle creatures who are more than able to use candour to avoid acknowledging our deceptions of others and ourselves.

I think that the best thing that a person can be is sincere.

To say Washington was a Deist—even a "soft Deist"—would imply that he did not have a problem violating his conscience each time he worshiped in his church. It is difficult to imagine how Washington, with his expressed concern for his character and his open commitment to honesty and candor, along with his sensitive conscience, could repeatedly and consistently make a public reaffirmation of a faith that he really did not believe.

I'll never tell a lie. I'll never make a misleading statement. I'll never betray the confidence that any of you had in me. And I'll never avoid a controversial issue.

Good leaders want the truth—even if it hurts.