quotations about honor
In whom the love of honor and praise is innate, are those who are elevated most above the brutes, and who are justly named men, and not merely human beings.
XENOPHON
Hiero
The winning of honor, is but the revealing of a man's virtue and worth, without disadvantage. For some in their actions, do woo and effect honor and reputation, which sort of men, are commonly much talked of, but inwardly little admired. And some, contrariwise, darken their virtue in the show of it; so as they be undervalued in opinion. If a man perform that, which hath not been attempted before; or attempted and given over; or hath been achieved, but not with so good circumstance; he shall purchase more honor, than by effecting a matter of greater difficulty or virtue, wherein he is but a follower. If a man so temper his actions, as in some one of them he doth content every faction, or combination of people, the music will be the fuller. A man is an ill husband of his honor, that entereth into any action, the failing wherein may disgrace him, more than the carrying of it through, can honor him. Honor that is gained and broken upon another, hath the quickest reflection, like diamonds cut with facets. And therefore, let a man contend to excel any competitors of his in honor, in outshooting them, if he can, in their own bow. Discreet followers and servants, help much to reputation. Omnis fama a domesticis emanat. Envy, which is the canker of honor, is best extinguished by declaring a man's self in his ends, rather to seek merit than fame; and by attributing a man's successes, rather to divine Providence and felicity, than to his own virtue or policy.
FRANCIS BACON
"Of Honor And Reputation", The Essays or Counsels, Civil and Moral
Be strong. Live honorably and with dignity. When you don't think you can, hold on.
JAMES FREY
A Million Little Pieces
The sense of honour is of so fine and delicate a nature, that it is only to be met with in minds which are naturally noble, or in such as have been cultivated by good examples, or a refined education.
JOSEPH ADDISON
The Guardian, No. 161
Next to living with honor is to die with honor.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Give me honorable enemies rather than ambitious ones, and I'll sleep more easily by night.
GEORGE R. R. MARTIN
A Game of Thrones
Men honor men who honor their fellow men.
KEN ALSTAD
Savvy Sayin's
Honor is like the eye, which cannot suffer the least impurity without damage. It is a precious stone, the price of which is lessened by a single flaw.
JACQUES-BENIGNE BOSSUET
attributed, The Forbes Book of Business Quotations
When honor and the Law no longer stand on the same side of the line, how do we choose?
ANNE BISHOP
Heir to the Shadows
Virtue is in our power, though praise be not: we may deserve honour, though we cannot command it.
BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE
Moral and Religious Aphorisms
The grand principles of virtue and honor, however they may be distorted by arbitrary codes, are the same all the world over: and where these principles are concerned, the right or wrong of any action appears the same to the uncultivated as to the enlightened mind.
HERMAN MELVILLE
Typee
If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Henry V
Great honors are great burdens; and distinguished conditions in life exact great servitude.
SENECA
attributed, Day's Collacon
The things we do outlast our mortality. The things we do are like monuments that people build to honor heroes after they've died. They're like the pyramids that the Egyptians built to honor the pharaohs. Only instead of being made of stone, they're made out of the memories people have of you.
R. J. PALACIO
Wonder
For he's honourable
And doubling that, most holy.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Cymbeline
All men of honor are alone.
F. PAUL WILSON
The Tomb
Honor is a divine good.
PLATO
attributed, Day's Collacon
Mine honor is my life, both grow in one. Take honor from me, and my life is done. Then, dear my liege, mine honor let me try; In that I live, and for that I will die.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Richard II
Let none presume
To wear an undeserv'd dignity.
O, that estates, degrees and offices
Were not deriv'd corruptly, and that clear honour
Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer!
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
The Merchant of Venice